Mulatu Astatke

Mulatu Astatke is a legendary Ethiopian musician, composer, and arranger who pioneered Ethio-jazz—a bold fusion of traditional Ethiopian music with jazz, Latin, and funk. With a career spanning over six decades, Mulatu has become a global icon, performing on every major continent and inspiring generations of artists. After studying in London and becoming the first African student at Berklee College of Music, he developed his groundbreaking sound in 1960s New York and returned to Addis Ababa to shape a new era of Ethiopian music. His innovative work led to collaborations with legends like Duke Ellington and Alice Coltrane, and more recently with artists including The Heliocentrics, Black Jesus Experience, and Nubiyan Twist. Rediscovered by a global audience through the Éthiopiques series and Jim Jarmusch’s Broken Flowers, Mulatu’s music has been sampled by Kanye West, Nas & Damian Marley, and Madlib. He continues to tour extensively, headline festivals, and release new music—including his 2025 album Mulatu Plays Mulatu, a powerful reimagining of his classics. Forever evolving, Mulatu Astatke remains the heartbeat of Ethio-jazz—bridging continents, generations, and traditions through rhythm and innovation.