Addis Jazz Festival's hope to revive golden era of "Ethio-jazz"

Record ID: 1722486

  • Title: Addis Jazz Festival's hope to revive golden era of "Ethio-jazz"
  • Date: 30th April 2023
  • Summary: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (APRIL 29, 2023) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SAXOPHONIST LETARIK TILAHUN PERFORMING WITH HIS BAND VARIOUS OF FESTIVAL GOERS LISTENING TO THE MUSIC VARIOUS OF SAXOPHONIST LETARIK TILAHUN PERFORMING WITH HIS BAND
  • Embargoed: 14th May 2023 09:24
  • Keywords: ADDIS JAZZ FESTIVAL ETHIO-JAZZ ETHIOPIA
  • Location: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
  • City: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
  • Country: Ethiopia
  • Topics: Africa,Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Music
  • Reuters ID: LVA001885430042023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Ethiopian saxophonist, Letarik Tilahun and his band once again serenaded fans at this year's Addis Jazz Festival. The two-day event was started in 2019 in hopes of reviving the golden era of the "Ethio-jazz" genre with a new and young generation of music lovers.
    Tilahun and other Ethiopian jazz musicians believe this unique blend of Ethiopian sounds and American jazz can enjoy the fame it once did in Ethiopia, even though it loved more fame abroad.
    "It (Ethio-jazz) is not very famous in Ethiopia but globally it is adored and played by many non-Ethiopian jazz musicians,” he said on Saturday (29 April).
    Festival goers danced and cheered as their favourite artists took to the stage.
    Musicians like Jorga Mesfin say it is encouraging to see the younger generation starting to enjoy Ethio-jazz.
    The genre originated in the 1950s when Nerses Nalbandian, created a fusion of traditional Ethiopian sounds and western music. Many believe that it is one of Ethiopia's "greatest innovations".
    Festival organiser, Teshome Wendimu, says that Ethio-jazz is an untapped asset in Ethiopia. "We could have produced a lot of artists that had the potential to make the country popular through jazz. For that, we need (music) schools, and the government should support it.” He said.
    However, jazz fans like Bezawit Kasahun believe that it is up to Ethiopians to promote the music, "I am truly a fan of jazz since jazz is the root of all music. So, it is our responsibility as a new generation to show Ethio-jazz." She said.
    (Production: Kumerra Gemechu, Mukelwa Hlatshwayo)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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