Mulatu Astatke

Mulatu Astatke is a renowned musician, composer, and arranger celebrated as the father of Ethio-jazz. Although often associated with his pioneering influence in Ethiopia, Mulatu spent a formative period in the United States, which shaped his creative direction. Born in 1943, Astatke studied music in London before attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, making him the first African student at the prestigious institution.

Immersed in the vibrant jazz scenes of New York and Boston, Astatke began blending traditional Ethiopian scales and rhythms with elements of American jazz, Latin music, and funk. His groundbreaking recordings from the 1960s and 1970s, produced in both Ethiopia and the United States, introduced a bold new sound that resonated globally and left an indelible mark on modern jazz and world music. Over his prolific career, Mulatu Astatke has collaborated with international artists and seen his work championed by contemporary musicians and filmmakers alike, solidifying his legacy as a visionary who forged musical bridges between continents and cultures.