Getatchew Mekurya, 81

Getatchew Mekurya, Ethiopian Jazz Saxophonist, Dies at 81
by Nate Chinen, The New York Times, April 11, 2016

London's Krar Collective brings Ethiopian grooves to Lincoln Center

London's KRAR COLLECTIVE is coming to Lincoln Center for a free concert!

Free Thursdays at the Atrium
Thursday, September 24 , 7:30 pm

David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center
Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets, Manhattan
(map/directions)

Serving up a colorful feast of mind-blowing grooves, this unstoppable London-based trio—Temesegen Zeleke on the krar (an ancient five- or six-stringed lyre), Genet Asefa on vocals, and Amare on drums—performs a rootsy yet contemporary take on traditional music from Ethiopia based on other-worldly modes and driven by hypnotic rhythms. The traditional acoustic krar is associated with the azmari minstrel tradition; electrified in the hands of Zeleke, it becomes a gritty, ancient rock guitar. Add to it Amare’s traditional kebero drums and Asefa’s stunning singing, and this minimal lineup creates a surprisingly full sound that has led to the group being dubbed ‘”The Ethiopian White Stripes.”

Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, including program updates, visit atrium.lincolncenter.org.

Ethiopian cabby gets back to his music

Ethiopian Funkster, Back After Long Break
Hailu Mergia Performs in Brooklyn

by Jon Pareles, The New York Times, December 20, 2013

UKanDanz...the night away

UKanDanz, based in Lyon, France, made its US debut at Lincoln Center Out of Doors last evening before a sparse but increasingly impressed audience. Earlier rain, and the threat of thunderstorms, had kept initial attendance down. But the deepening night sky stayed dry, great music kept coming from this French/Ethiopian quintet and two other bands over the next few hours, and more people arrived to partake and enjoy.

It took me a couple of songs to warm to UKanDanz, with its raucous collision of high-pitched, passionate Ethiopian melisma and hard-charging rock. But vocalist Asnaqé Guèbrèyès served as a magnetic center to keep all the components from flying off in different directions. After awhile, it just worked.

Oumar Konate (photo by Darial Sneed)

Due to the ongoing conflict in her country, Mali's esteemed vocalist Khaira Arby could not join her band in New York, but guitarist-singer Oumar Konate took up the leadership role, bringing the funk and the rock with a majestic glide. These guys--especially Konate--really rock out in the classic style on their beautiful guitars and do so without losing the slightest degree of crystal clear precision.

I stayed for only half of the last set--Yemen Blues, fronted by an electrifying Israeli-Yemenite vocalist, Ravid Kahalani--but I was glad to hear that much.

Ravid Kahalani (photo by Darial Sneed)

These musicians play trombone, trumpet, flute, viola, cello, violin, oud, gimbri, percussion and keyboards. I hear blues, funk, North and West African rhythms and Latin jazz influences threaded through the fabric, a big, colorful, sophisticated sound, powerful enough to rattle your chest. Kahalani's sexy exuberance carries the Life Force; in fact, his first utterance, upon taking the stage, was to cry "Adonai!!!" Audience members flocked to empty spaces near the stage to sway and dance in complete enchantment. All in all, a sensational night at Lincoln Center.

Here's a taste of Yemen Blues from a 2010 trailer:

Get a schedule of remaining Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival events here.

May it RESONATE! with you

RESONATE! African America in Sound and Story launches its after-school arts programming today at 4pm with song/spoken word artists Chandra Rule and Somi at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center.

Co-presented by Lincoln Center's Meet the Artist and New York University's Institute of African American Affairs, this series of four free events for high school and college students will also welcome the acclaimed singer/musician Toshi Reagon (April 13), dancer-choreographer Nora Chipaumire (April 20) and the And Lay Duo--two members of the Ethiopian funk/groove collective Debo Band (April 27).

Each performance, celebrating the rich cultural diversity and innovative artistry of the African diaspora, will be followed by a discussion and Q & A moderated by Ethiopian singer Meklit Hadero, Artist-in-Residence of NYU's Institute of African American Affairs.

Free! Reservations not required.

Wednesdays, 4pm-5pm
David Rubinstein Atrium at Lincoln Center
Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets, Manhattan
(directions)