Ethiopia: A Musical Perspective: a comprehensive look at the country’s musical forms: the monochord music of the ‘Azmaris’ (story-telling and social commentary through song); the pentatonic and varied regional sounds; and the hybrid modern stylings of ethio-jazz.
To celebrate Black History Month, Batuki Music Society presents the rich musical traditions of “Abyssinia” or present day Ethiopia, which has the enviable position in the African continent of being the only country that was never colonized by European powers. It also had the longest continuous monarchy until the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie in the ‘70s by the military.
Ethiopia has a glorious past with a great civilization, one of a few countries with a written language (the Ge’ez script) and a developed system of governance. The resilience and bravery of the Ethiopian people in resisting Italian campaigns to colonize it are often seen by many Africans as a catalyst that sowed the seeds of independence for their countries. The idea of a United Africa started in Ethiopia; hence, Africa’s first parliament was established in Addis Ababa, the capital city.
Toronto has one of the largest Ethiopian populations in Canada; there is already a large pool of talent within this community. Having interacted on many occasions with its leaders and artists. Batuki Music Society’s Artistic Director proposed the idea to put together a musical collective to showcase the various traditions and cultures of Ethiopia. The lineup includes musicians Girma Woldemichael, Fantahun Shewankochew, Henok Abebe, Martha Ashagari, Dawit Tesfamariam, Daniel Barnes, Yared Zeleke, Bereket Gebremedn, John Maclean, Abebe Fikade, Eyerusalem Dubale and dancer Saba Alemayehu.
There will be an array of traditional and modern instruments representing a wealth of talent and energy from “Abyssinia”. Batuki Music Society is offering fresh eyes at defining what Ethiopian music is.
Batuki Music Society gratefully acknowledges the support of the Toronto Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, and Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant.
DATE: Saturday, February 11, 2012
TIME: 8 PM
VENUE: Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front West, Toronto
TICKETS: $25 or $20 in advance, available online: ethiopianmusic.eventbrite.ca/?ref=ebtn
INFO: www.BatukiMusic.com, FB Event