Tribute to Getatchew Mekuria Concert - 14.10.14

The Alliance Ethio-Française cordially invites you to a “Tribute to Getatchew Mekuria”concert, by The Ex, Getatchew Mekuria and many other surprise guests, on Tuesday October 14th, at 06:30 pm at the National Theatre.

Getatchew Mekuria is the most revered veteran of the Ethiopian saxophone. Now in his seventies, he has collaborated with all the great Ethiopian singers over the years. His huge vibrato, both forceful and fragile, plays around the vocal lines using typical Ethiopian embellishments. He is the inventor of the instrumental “Shellele”, the heroic traditional Ethiopian war-chant sung by warriors before going into battle, translated to the saxophone. When he plays it, he dons a lion’s mane and cuts loose with furious solos that are a kind of free jazz, from before free jazz existed.

Formed in 1979, the Dutch band The Ex was born at the height of the 'punk' explosion. Using guitars, bass, drums and voice as departure points The Ex have continued up to the present day to musically explore undiscovered areas. They have since released over 26 full length albums of musical experiments and numerous collaborations blending punk and free jazz with styles of folk music from all over the world.

The Ex and Getatchew Mekuria have been collaborating intermittently since 2004 performing on many Jazz-Worldmusic- and Rock-festivals all over the world. Together with other guests, they have recorded two albums, “Moa Anbessa” (2006) and “Y’Anbessa Tezeta” (2012).

A seemingly unlikely combination that ignites an incredible musical chemistry!

Line up:

Getatchew Mekuria- Tenorsaxophone                               Jasper Stadhouders- Bassguitar

The Ex:                                                                         Melaku Belay- Dance

Terrie Hessels- Guitar                                                      Endriss Hassen- Masinko

Andy Moor- Guitar                                                          Misale Legesse- Kebero

Katherina Bornefeld- Drums,Vocals                                    Zenash Tsegaye- Dance

Arnold De Boer- Trumpet, Vocals                                      Nardos Tesfaw- Vocals

Guests:                                                                         Yared Tefera- Saxophone

Ken Vandermark- Saxophone                                            Johnny Aklilu- Saxophone

Brodie West- Saxophone                                                  Dawit Frew- Clarinet

Xavier Charles- Clarinet                                                    Gavin Mcdowall- Live sound

Joost Buis- Trombone

15 October 2014 at 2:00am - 15 October 2014 at 6:00am

National Theatre Gambia St, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Price: FREE