Article on Ethio-jazz

[bohemianbiker]

Very interesting article in the NY Times about the resurgence of jazz in Ethopia, including a short bit on a mandolinist named Ayele Mamo. According to the article, there was a history of their own brand of jazz, but it had basically ceased for a couple of decades due to the military dictatorship. Now it's coming back. bb

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/16/tr...an-region&_r=0

[Darren12]

Thank you for posting this bohemian biker. I was given a Ethio Jazz sampler a few years back and it is nice to have more artists to explore in this genre.

[bohemianbiker]

Glad you enjoyed it. I am not familiar with the genre, but intend to go to YouTube to check it out. bb

[M.Marmot]

[Joel Glassman]

Haven't read the article, but I'm assuming Mulatu Astatke is mentioned.
He's one to check Youtube for. Its not mandolin music, but it could be ...

[bohemianbiker]

Thank you for posting this bohemian biker. I was given a Ethio Jazz sampler a few years back and it is nice to have more artists to explore in this genre.

What was the name of the sampler? Was it a good? bb

[Jim Garber]

Interesting left hand positioning by Ayele Mamo above. He looks like he has very large hands with long fingers but seems to anchor the neck in the crook between thumb and index up neat the nut.

[bohemianbiker]

Yes, I hadn't noticed that the first time. Just what my instructor tells me not to do! But on that song I don't think he left first position, and he seems only to be fretting the bottom string or 2 (altho I could be wrong), so perhaps that makes it more feasible.

Here is another clip (he starts playing at about 4:15). bb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aex5wwsiLIQ

[bohemianbiker]

Here's a video of the Addis Acoustic Project, which Ayele Mamo is a member of. According to the group's facebook page (link below), they just performed in Jerusalem.



https://www.facebook.com/pages/Addis...t/157476706632