Mulatu Astatke Returns in March For One Show

Jazz legend and founder of Ethio-Jazz, Mulatu Astatke is set to return to New Zealand for one Auckland show in March. Treating us to his second visit in almost as many years, if you missed his hypnotic show last November here is your second chance...

Mulatu Astatke with The Black Jesus Experience

Saturday 16th March, The Powerstation, Auckland

See below for ticketing details - here is some fan footage of Astatke and band playing at the London Jazz Festival earlier this month...

Press Release:

THE GODFATHER OF ETHIO-JAZZ MULATU ASTATKE RETURNS TO THE POWERSTATION STAGE IN MARCH with THE BLACK JESUS EXPERIENCE

The most crucial figurehead in Ethiopia's recent musical history, Astatke is the central architect of Ethio-Jazz, a genre which blends Latin jazz and first wave soul and funk motifs with traditional Ethiopian musical ideas.

Raised in Jimma, Ethiopia, but musically trained in London, New York and Boston, Astatke has been recording and performing since the 1960s. In that time, his vibraphone and percussion heavy soundworld has slowly, yet surely become a pivotal influence on a younger generation of musicians. In the process, as his seminal vinyl releases gain more and more cultural currency, he has been sampled by the likes of Kanye West, Nas and Damian Marley.

Despite his length of time spent in service to music, Astatke's mainstream breakout moment was in 2005, when he provided the score and several songs for the soundtrack of Jim Jarmusch's film Broken Flowers.

Respected and loved by jazz, world music, hip-hop and beat music musicians and fans, Astatke is a phenomenal live entertainer. Energetic and always adorned with a smile, his talents and attitude are truly joyful to witness.

His last show in Auckland saw a healthy turn out of the vibrant and colourful local Ethiopian community who were very pleased to see one of their national identities performing in New Zealand.

As with his last appearance, Astatke will be backed live by The Black Jesus Experience, an Australian/Ethiopian ensemble. Fusing traditional Ethiopian song with jazz, funk and hip-hop, this nine-piece have toured with Astatke throughout Europe and Ethiopia.


Saturday 16th March 2013
Powerstation - Auckland

Presale tickets on sale Tue 4th Dec from www.muchmoremusic.co.nz
General tickets on sale Thurs 6th Dec from Ticketmaster
For all show & ticketing info go to www.powerstation.net.nz