Mulatu Astatke & Friends - Concert at the Philharmonie de Paris (2017) | Qwest TV

ABOUT THIS VIDEO:
Musical history is often thought of as a line but it is more like a circle. The roots of jazz came from the folk traditions of African slaves in America. Then, centuries later, Ethiopian vibraphonist and composer Mulatu Astatke became entranced with the music, studied it in Britain and the States, and brought it back to his homeland, where he mixed it with his traditions, thus creating a unique art form. His “Ethio-jazz” would go on to influence generations.
The new millennium saw renewed interest in his work through reissues of his classic 1970s albums. This led to recordings, touring and fresh collaborations, his innovations expanding back to America and the rest of the world, the circle ever spinning.
For this concert—a career retrospective comprising songs from the-then septuagenarian’s beginnings to some of his most recent compositions—Astatke is joined by a multi-generational cross-section of Britain’s finest players, all of whom appeared on his 2013 album Sketches Of Ethiopia. Added star power comes from guests Sinkane and Soweto Kinch.
Saxophones, trumpet, keyboards, cello, guitar, bass, drums and percussion provide a firm yet fluid underpinning for Astatke’s explorations. The songs are few but the adventures long and prismatic. Astatke’s pleasure at what his young charges hear in his music is visible as he closes his eyes and shakes his head approvingly.
For nearly two hours, Astatke and Company lift 2,400 Parisians out of their seats, transporting them to the various locales of Astatke’s long and fruitful journey.
- Andrey Henkin

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