Jump To Addis

Jump to Addis is the result of an encounter between Ethiopian and European musicians determined to pool their respective musical instruments and cultures, on stage and in the studio. Four musicians (German, Dutch, French), students of the pianist Misha Mengelberg at the Amsterdam Conservatory, fell in love with Ethiopian music when they crossed paths with Circus Ethiopia, then on a European tour. Their predominantly jazz culture prepared them for this experiment, and they quickly decided to go to Ethiopia to steep themselves in this promising music in situ. A dozen Ethiopian artists participated in Jump to Addis. All are active in the local scenes in Addis Ababa, Djimma or Awassa, either performing in the azmaribét (traditional minstrels’ cabarets), the various branches of Circus Ethiopia, or the National Theatre. Among them are such distinguished vocalists as Yèzinna Nègash (cf. éthiopiques-2 / Tètchawèt !), Guènnet Masrèsha or Asnaqè Guèbrèyès, and accomplished instrumentalists such as Gzaté Guélay, Essoubalèw Adugna, Dawit Guèbrèab or the flautist Anemouté. And the chorus, so important in Ethiopian popular music, firmly supports the musical structure of Jump to Addis. Finally, it is remarkable to point out that the repertoire is not limited to the amhara legacy, long favoured to the detriment of other cultures, but also ventures into several South Ethiopian musical genres — wèlayta, sidama, gouragué — as rich and numerous as they are little-known. (Francis Falceto)