The Africa Institute hosted the late Alemayehu Eshete, a soulful Ethiopian pop singer widely considered to be known as the “Abyssinian Elvis” and some of the best experienced Ethiopian performers as part of the country-focused program, Ethiopia: Modern Nation – Ancient Roots on 11-12 October 2019.

The program not only enjoyed a live performance but was able to investigate the history of Ethiopia, its racial diversity, rich cultural heritage, and contribution to the project of modernity in Africa through the medium of music.

Alemayehu Eshete is an Ethiopian vocalist active since the 1960s and known for his unique style of singing. Alemayehu’s talent was early recognized by Addis Ababa’s famous Police Orchestra who invited the young singer to join. He had his first hit in 1961 before moving on to form the Alem-Girma Band with another Ethiopian influential arranger Girma Beyene. Over the course of 15 years, Alemayehu has released some 30 singles gaining fame in his home country, as well as Europe and North America. Eshete was accompanied by a band, that included Abye Fassil (alto sax), Henock Temesgen (bass), Nathaniel Tesemma (drums), Girum Mezmur (guitar), Abegasu Shiota (keyboards), Yared Tefera (tenor sax), who added to the spellbinding performance.

Bethlehem Bekele who performed some of her original music and covered a wide range of Ethiopian female repertoire. Bekele is one of the emerging female artists in the Ethiopian music scene. Bethlehem started out her music career singing the songs of Ethiopian diva, Aster Aweke. Bethlehem’s repertoire encompasses a wide range of the Ethiopian classics with her deep know-how of the authentic traditional vocal styles as well as contemporary singing styles. Bethlehem Bekele released her debut album in 2012 entitled “Ras Neh”. Among her original hits Abejehuand, Kurat Firhat remain to be Ethiopians’ favorite.

The Africa Institute hosted the late Alemayehu Eshete, a soulful Ethiopian pop singer widely considered to be known as the “Abyssinian Elvis” and some of the best experienced Ethiopian performers as part of the country-focused program, Ethiopia: Modern Nation – Ancient Roots on 11-12 October 2019.

The Africa Institute hosted the late Alemayehu Eshete, a soulful Ethiopian pop singer widely considered to be known as the “Abyssinian Elvis” and some of the best experienced Ethiopian performers as part of the country-focused program, Ethiopia: Modern Nation – Ancient Roots on 11-12 October 2019.

The program not only enjoyed a live performance but was able to investigate the history of Ethiopia, its racial diversity, rich cultural heritage, and contribution to the project of modernity in Africa through the medium of music.

Alemayehu Eshete is an Ethiopian vocalist active since the 1960s and known for his unique style of singing. Alemayehu’s talent was early recognized by Addis Ababa’s famous Police Orchestra who invited the young singer to join. He had his first hit in 1961 before moving on to form the Alem-Girma Band with another Ethiopian influential arranger Girma Beyene. Over the course of 15 years, Alemayehu has released some 30 singles gaining fame in his home country, as well as Europe and North America. Eshete was accompanied by a band, that included Abye Fassil (alto sax), Henock Temesgen (bass), Nathaniel Tesemma (drums), Girum Mezmur (guitar), Abegasu Shiota (keyboards), Yared Tefera (tenor sax), who added to the spellbinding performance.

Bethlehem Bekele who performed some of her original music and covered a wide range of Ethiopian female repertoire. Bekele is one of the emerging female artists in the Ethiopian music scene. Bethlehem started out her music career singing the songs of Ethiopian diva, Aster Aweke. Bethlehem’s repertoire encompasses a wide range of the Ethiopian classics with her deep know-how of the authentic traditional vocal styles as well as contemporary singing styles. Bethlehem Bekele released her debut album in 2012 entitled “Ras Neh”. Among her original hits Abejehuand, Kurat Firhat remain to be Ethiopians’ favorite.

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