Mulato Astatke

With a combination of vibraphone and tight horn arrangements, mystical melodies, congas and bongos, Mulatu Astatke has established himself as the father of Ethio-jazz – a genre best described as a mix of pop, modern jazz, traditional Ethiopian music, Latin rhythms, Caribbean reggae and Afro-funk. As a musician, he is surrounded by a mythical effervescence and is known as the inspiration for many musicians from a variety of genres.

French record label Buda Musique released an album in its Ethiopiques series in 1998 dedicated entirely to Astatke and his music. In 2005, American director Jim Jarmusch used his recordings in the movie Broken Flowers, and immediately thereafter, major hip hop artists like Kanye West, Nas and Damian Marley, and Killah Priest had further sampled Mulatu’s music.

International critics responded with rave reviews to his most recent album, Sketches of Ethiopia, which features guest performances by musicians such as Fatoumata Diawara. Today, Mulatu Astatke tours fully packed concert venues all over the world with his Ethio-jazz and on 4 November, he will appear at Konserthuset Stockholm for the 20-year anniversary of Selam!

Opening act: Sabina Ddumba & Tensta Gospel Choir

In 2015, Sabina Ddumba released the hit singles Effortless and Not Too Young and has won both a Grammis Award and the P3 Gold Award for Newcomer of the Year.

At this performance at Konserthuset, Sabina Ddumba will appear with the Tensta Gospel Choir, the choir in which her own musical roots are planted.

The Tensta Gospel Choir has performed at festivals, the Grammis Gala, Allsång på Skansen (Singalong at Skansen), on Sveriges Television and in numerous Swedish concert venues. The choir is still based in the Tensta Church and participates in the congregation’s services monthly to share the message of gospel music with visitors.

In collaboration with SELAM