Mulatu Astatke
Mulatu Astatke (born on 19 December 1943; sometimes spelled Astatqé in French-language releases, and ሙላቱ አስታጥቄ in Amharic) is an Ethiopian musician and arranger recognized as the father of Ethio-jazz.
Originally from the western Ethiopian city of Jimma, Mulatu received musical training in London, New York City, and Boston, blending jazz and Latin music interests with traditional Ethiopian music. Astatke led his band while playing the vibraphone and conga drums—both instruments he introduced to Ethiopian popular music—and also played various percussion instruments, keyboards, and organ. His albums mainly feature instrumental music, and Astatke is present on all three known albums of instrumentals released during Ethiopia’s Golden 1970s.
Details
322.6K followers
Discography
Credits & Roles
- Songwriter (1)
- Liner Notes (1)
- Vibraphone (1)
- Piano (1)
- Electric Piano (1)
- Timbales (1)
- Congas (1)
- Bongos (1)
Frequently Appears With
- Hoodna Orchestra(3 releases)
- Adele Phillips(1 releases)
- Alexis Maryon(1 releases)
- Byron Wallen(1 releases)
- Dexter Story(1 releases)
- Isabel Gracefield Grundy(1 releases)
- James Arben(1 releases)
- Matt Thame(1 releases)
- Sam Button(1 releases)
- Wendimagegn Belete(1 releases)
Labels
- Batov Records
- Strut
Related Artists
- Lèmma Dèmissèw
- Max Herre
- Wendimagegn Belete
- Menelik Wesnatchew
- Byron Wallen
- Alexis Maryon
- Fekade Amde Maskal
- Seifu Yohannes
- Wubishet Fisseha
- Tesfa-Maryam Kidane
Stop missing releases.
Tracknack digs through album credits — producers, engineers, labels — so you don't have to. One Spotify or Apple Music playlist, always up to date.
