1. From Khartoum To Addis - Eyuat Sitnafekegne (6:44) 2. From Khartoum To Addis - Tegegntoal Liju (7:39) 3. From Khartoum To Addis - Yene Hasab (6:52) 4. From Khartoum To Addis - Enetarek (6:53) 5. From Khartoum To Addis - Endih New Gabicha (7:36) 6. From Khartoum To Addis - Fikir Ayarejim (5:04) 7. From Khartoum To Addis - Nanu Nanu Naye (6:13) 8. From Khartoum To Addis - Ende Amora (4:43)
Comprised of some of Addis Ababas finest acoustic musicians, the Addis Acoustic Project brings forth Ethiopias popular tunes from the 1950s and 1960s in a new light. Directed and arranged by guitarist Girum Mezmur, the Addis Acoustic Project unfolds vintage Ethiopian music in a fresh and contemporary way. The groups musical style has influences of traditional East-African, Jazz, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms among other styles.
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba
August, 2012 - "Meche Dereshe"
The band, composed of veteran musicians such as Ayele Mamo (Mandolin), as well as contemporary musicians such as Girum Mezmur (Guitars, Accordion), Henock Temesgen (Double Bass), Nathaniel Tesemma (Drums, Percussions), Aklilu Wolde Yohannes (Clarinet, Flute), and Misale Legesse (Kebero, Percussions), produces unique sounds dear to most Ethiopians and that undoubtedly appeal to a greater world music audience.
Addis Acoustic Project presents its performance with an attempt to stay true and authentic to the styles as well as instrumentations of the 1950s Ethiopian popular music, yet introducing fresh and contemporary musical elements with ample room for spontaneity and improvisation.
Addis Acoustic Projects founder/ musical director, Girum Mezmur, has performed with the whos who of Ethiopian music including Aster Awoke, Ali Birra, Mahmoud Ahmed, Alemayehu Eshete, and Teddy Afro. His musical relationship with Mahmoud Ahmed has provided him the opportunity to tour several countries worldwide including Africa, Europe, and Canada, playing at major international music festivals such as the WOMAD, the Montreal Jazz Festival, Roskilde Festival, etc. Girum has also had the honor of participating in U.Ks 2007 BBC Radio World Music Award, appearing as Mahmoud Ahmeds guitarist. It was here where Mahmoud Ahmed won the nomination for Best Artist under the category Africa. Girum has also performed / recorded with other renown African artists such as Angelique Kidjo, Ray Lema, and Ali Keita. Girum Mezmur is also a co-founder of Jazzamba Music School and Jazzamba Lounge, as well as the yearly Acacia Jazz & World Music Festival in Addis Ababa.
Since its premiere at the 7th Ethiopian Music Festival (May 2008), the Addis Acoustic Project has been enjoying great success. The group currently performs on a weekly basis at one of Addis Ababas hip jazz spots..."Jazzamba Lounge".
The band has also performed internationally at renowned festivals and venues such as WOMEX09 in Copenhagen, Selam Festival in Stockholm, TFF Rudolstadt Festival in Germany, Tree House in Nairobi, Sauti za Busara Festival in Zanzibar, and MASA in Ivory Coast among others.
The band released its debut album "Tewesta"- Remembrance" on the world music label, Harmonia Mundi/World Village in August 2011.
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 01 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (4:57)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 02 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (3:58)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 03 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (0:35)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 04 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (3:24)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 05 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (4:54)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 06 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (5:42)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 07 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (4:13)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 08 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (5:57)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 09 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (6:31)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 10 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (5:11)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 11 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (9:53)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 12 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (4:41)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 13 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (11:29)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 14 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (4:25)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 15 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (9:01)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 16 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (6:50)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 17 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (7:57)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 18 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (7:23)
Mohamed Ahmed Kuluc was born in Owdweyneh in 1942, and grew up in Berbera and Hargeisa He started his singing in Hargeisa, in the then British Somaliland Protectorate in 1954. The repertoires of his songs are long, voluminous, omnipotent and eternal, so rich and so amazingly legendary. .
The late Mohamed Ahmed Kuluc, whose career spanned more than 50 years, was known for his raspy voice, rose to fame in late 1950. For the past two decades Kuluc has been living in Britain.
Mohamed Ahmed Kuluc -Heestii Daaimow
Mohamed Ahmed Kuluc was one of the preeminent founding members of “Walaala Hargeisa Band” The legendary Somaliland band has been formed in Hargeisa in 1954. In the recent past, another Somaliland giant vocalist, the king of songs of all times, Mohamed Suleiman has also died in a strange country, a place where nobody knows his personality, and gentleness, humility, humbleness, and legendary status.
Mohamed Ahmed was one of the first generation of Bulwo or Heelo songs in Somaliland and the entire Somali speaking world for that matter. Mohamed Among the other founding members of “Walaala Hargeisa” were the likes of preeminent legends such as Abdullahi Qarshe, Mohamed Said (Guroon Jire.), Osman In-Beenale, and Shamis Abokar (Gudoodo Carwo).
The giant singer and playwright was buried on the 18th of January, 2015 in “Nasahablood cemetery in his beautiful Hargeisa.” Thousands of people including high Somaliland government officials led by Somaliland’s vice-president were in attendance.
Other great of his amazingly brilliant and irreplaceable generation who already died were Abdullahi Qarshe, Mohamed Yusuf, Mohamed Omar Huryo, Osman Mohamed Abdulkarim, Mohamed Suleiman, Omar Dhuule, Halimo Khalif Magool, Abdullahi Abdi Shube, Hussein Aw Farah, Mooge brothers Mohamed and Ahmed Mooge Liban, Farhiya Ali, and many others.
Qwanqwa, from the Amharic word for language, plays beloved and rare Ethiopian tunes with a unique twist. The band, based in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, is named for this concept. The members vary in age and background, but have come together for a unique and powerful sound with an equally meaningful message. At it’s core, this band is instrumental, since they believe that to reach the widest audience, a single singer can limit the effect.
However, the list of guests and collaborations is long, including both beloved and famous singers such as Fikraddis, Habte Michael, Amelmal Abate, as well as beloved Azmari singers Selamnesh Zemene and Etenesh Wassie. Not limited to only singers, Qwanqwa also has invited the virtuoso masinqo player Endris Hassen, the father of washint Johannes Aferwork, Ethiopia’s foremost clarinetist Dawit Frew, and many other treasures of traditional instrumentalists to join them.
The vision of Qwanqwa is to reach as many people as possible with their music. Where many groups play at clubs, Qwanqwa strives to organize concerts in remote places and unique situations. They know that there are many people who would enjoy their music but would not be able to attend a concert at a club because they can’t afford a taxi, that can’t get a babysitter, they are too young, they don’t drink, or other infinite limiting factors. But music is for all, Qwanqwa seeks opportunities to play to as many demographics as possible. Oftentimes, the members have found, the outreach concerts are even more memorable and rewarding than regular club shows.
Qwanqwa are : Mesele Asmamaw - lead krar Elias Wolde Mikael- kebero/percussion Dawit Seyoum - bass krar Kaethe Hostetter - 5 string violin
Qwanqwa- Gubliye at Selam Fetival
Qwanqwa's homage to Asnaketch Werqu
Mesele Asmamaw is Qwanqwa’s lead electric krar player. (Krar is a traditional harp, relative to the lyre). Mesele is known as a composer and arranger, active in Ethiopia for over twenty years. He has released many albums of his compositions as well as traveled extensively throughout Europe and Africa performing the traditional music of Ethiopia. Since the mid-2000s, Mesele has been a favorite guest of the extremely influential punk and “The EX”, has recorded several albums with the experimental Norwegian drummer Paal Nilssen-Love, and has toured and recorded with his experimental rock group Trio Kazanches. He uses several interesting techniques in Qwanqwa, including a wah pedal, a distortion pedal, a coke bottle and a plastic tube!
Dawit Seyoum, master of the bass krar, plays extensively in traditional groups around Addis, including Ethiocolor and Hager Fikr. He also is a member of the Nile Project, a much-acclaimed American based project which tours internationally with traditional musicians from all Nile countries.
Elias Wolde Mikael is Qwanqwa’s percussionist. He uses the traditional kebero, goat skin drums played with sticks, as well as a variety of other homemade percussion instruments. He can be seen regularly in several groups around Addis Ababa as well as on popular TV music programs in Ethiopia, including Ethiopian Idol and Balageru.
Kaethe Hostetter, 5-string electric violin, has been playing Ethiopian music for many years now. A founding member of the critically acclaimed Debo Band (signed to Sub Pop), the first Ethiopian band in the US to top many charts including iTunes and CMJ, and who has played many stages from Lincoln Center to Kennedy Center, from Chicago World Music Festival and GlobalFest to Bumbershoot and Bonarroo. She also has had an active performing life in the experimental scene, including tours with Fred Frith, Butch Morris and Jim Hobbs.
