Mulatu Astatke

“It is rumored that he lives in Sandaker,” said a beloved music journalist once, and that’s because he is a true friend of Norway <3 But primarily because the concerts are so incredibly good that we must have him back again and again! The creator of Ethio-Jazz, Mulatu Astatke, is returning to Cosmopolite on November 21, and we are excited to hear from a legend who never stops evolving and continually brings new and innovative soundscapes to our music scene!

“A strong African heart drives Mulatu as he weaves his very personal magic into a style that is both infectious and mysterious.” - BBC

The Ethiopian jazz musician has been creating music for decades and wrote a new chapter in music history when he introduced his Ethio-Jazz; a fusion of African styles, Latin jazz, and European music.

“The golden era of swinging Addis… It sounds as much Arabic as it does African and Afro-Cuban… woven together like a tapestry.” - Jazzwise

In an interview with Cosmopolite last year, Astatke stated:
“Many of the Latin rhythms come from African music. Everything we have really comes from Africa, and that is especially why I study church music – one of our great contributions to the world!”

Astatke primarily plays the vibraphone, a percussion instrument that produces a completely unique expression when played by a master, and alongside a larger ensemble of instrumentalists, it creates a complex expression and an atmosphere that fills the venue!

The Ethio-jazz that Astatke has created has inspired a whole generation of musicians, including The Weekend, Nas, Damien Marley, Kanye West, and Fleetwood Mac. This atmospheric music has been used in several films, and big names like Elvis Costello and Robert Plant are declared fans.

“Groundbreaking… melodic and atmospheric… Music from the ’70s that still sounds fresh.” - Pitchfork