Artist page

Mulatu Astatke is one of Ethiopia's most influential musicians, known for his pioneering work in creating "Ethio-jazz." Born in Ethiopia, he studied music in London, Boston, and New York during the 1960s, where he developed a passion for jazz and Latin music. Upon returning to Ethiopia, Astatke blended traditional Ethiopian music with Latin-jazz influences, establishing a unique musical hybrid. As a composer and multi-instrumentalist, Astatke plays the vibraphone, keyboards, and organs, and he is credited with incorporating congas and bongos into Ethiopian music, which traditionally emphasized vocals. His innovative approach shifted the focus toward instrumentation in Ethiopian songs. Astatke recorded three LPs in New York City: Afro-Latin Soul Volumes 1 & 2 in 1966 and Mulatu of Ethiopia in 1972. He also released several 7” singles and an LP titled Yekatit Ethio-Jazz in 1974 on Amha Records in Addis Ababa. Recently, he gained renewed attention in the West through the Ethiopiques compilation series and a 10” compilation from a Brighton-based label. His music was featured in Jim Jarmusch’s 2005 film Broken Flowers. A project to re-record some of Astatke’s earlier works, along with new original material, is currently underway, collaborating with notable musicians including drummer Max Weissenfeldt and others from Fela Kuti’s band.

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