World-renowned Ethiopian musician and composer Mulatu Astatke returns to Perth after a sell-out premiere show at the Bakery last October, backed by his 10-piece ensemble band The Black Jesus Experience. Mulatu will play the Fremantle Town Hall on Sunday 20 November, giving audiences the rare chance to see one of the finest live world music artists as part of the Fremantle Festival. Playing the vibraphone, congas and percussion in what can only be described as a mixture of traditional Ethiopian melodies, Afro Jazz and classic soul and funk, Astatke's distinct sounds are some of the most inventive and exciting to ever come out of Africa. He has performed at some of the world’s most influential venues, including New York’s Lincoln Centre, the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC, Beethoven-Haus in Bonn, London’s Barbican Centre, and the UK’s giant Glastonbury Festival. And at 68, Astatke is still wowing crowds. With a music career spanning over four decades, Astatke was able to find a new generation of fans thanks to the re-release of his popular work on the Ethopiques label through Strut Records and has gained a cult following after several of his infectious tracks featured on Jim Jarmusch’s 2005 film, Broken Flowers. In 2008, he collaborated with London based psyche-jazz collective the Heliocentrics on the now classic album Inspiration Information Vol. 3. The album featured re-worked tracks from his earlier Ethio-jazz days as well as new material. His recently released follow-up album, Mulatu Steps Ahead has been similarly well received. He is also well regarded in the hip-hop community with his work featured in Nas and Damien
Marley’s ‘As We Enter’. Mulatu Astatke was musically trained in London, schooled in the club scene of mid-60s New York and became the first African to attend the Berklee School of Music in Boston. When he returned to Ethiopia in the late 60s he sent shock waves through the military dominated music scene with his knowledge and influence of
music genres from across the globe.

Astake will play with Melbourne’s The Black Jesus Experience on the night. The 10-piece ensemble brings together a dynamic blend of traditional Ethiopian music with jazz, funk and hip hop. Members include
singer/songwriters from Ethiopia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Australia and New Zealand. Supporting Mulatu is Fremantle-based singer, songwriter and musician Grace Barbe and her four-piece band.
Like her mixed heritage, Grace’s music reflects and celebrates the diverse influences of her culture playing a combination of afro-Creole, island roots and reggae, sung in Creole, English and French, laced with a modern pop sensibility.

This will be the Afro Jazz show of the year! Mulatu Astatke will entice fans of all ages and genres from jazz and world music, right through to fans of hip hop and house in a night of afro grooves and Ethiopian beats - that will have everyone dancing.

MULATU ASTATKE
Godfather of Ethio Jazz, composer and arranger With The Black Jesus Experience
Support from Grace Barbe and DJ Charlie Bucket
At the Fremantle Town Hall, 8 William Street
Sunday 20 November, 6 – 10pm
Admission $49 plus Booking Fee
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