|
|
2008-07-30
7:30PM
|
"The leading little big-band in the jazz world."
-Bob Blumenthal, Boston Globe
|
[ Complete Show Schedule... ] |
|
| Either / Orchestra & Mulatu Astatke |
FEATURING:
Tom Halter, Dan Rosenthal - trumpets
Joel Yennior - trombone
Godwin Louis - alto saxophone, flute
Russ Gershon - bandleader, tenor & soprano saxophone
Kurtis Rivers - baritone saxophone, flute
Rafael Alcala - piano
Rick McLaughlin - bass
Pablo Bencid - drums
Vicente Lebron - congas, percussion
special guest:
Mulatu Astatke - vibraphone, congas, compositions
|
Mulatu Astatke invented "Ethio-jazz" in the 1960s when he combined jazz and Latin music with the beautiful melodies and scales of Ethiopian songs. His landmark early recordings are pioneering "world music," and have been rediscovered by super-hip DJs in London, along with filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, who used Mulatu's music in Broken Flowers, and the musically astute producers of The Sopranos.
In the 1990s, Either/Orchestra leader Russ Gershon heard the classic Ethiopian music of the 60s and 70s, and began incorporating it into the 10 piece band's repertoire. The group, together since 1985, found that these songs were the perfect vehicle for their abilities, and the "Ethopian Suite" became the hit of their sets.
When the E/O travelled to Addis Ababa in 2004, they were virtually greeted by Mulatu, who had done the same honors for the Ellington band in 1973. The meeting led to a continuing collaboration including well-received concerts in the US and Europe. Most recently, the E/O and Mulatu were joined by Ethiopian stars Mahmoud Ahmed, Alemayehu Eshete and Getachew Mekurya for triumphant shows at London's Barbican Theater and the Glastonbury Festival. |
