Alemayehu Eshete
Encyclopedia
Alemayehu Eshete (also written Alèmayèhu Eshèté in French
) is an Ethiopian Ethio-jazz singer active since the 1960s who primarily sings in Amharic
. Eshete's talent was recognized by colonel Rètta Dèmèqè who invited the young singer to perform with Addis Ababa
's famous Police Orchestra. Eshete had his first hit ("Seul") in 1961 before moving on to found the orchestra Alèm-Girma Band with Girma Bèyènè
. Over the course of 15 years, Eshete released some 30 singles until the arrival of the communist Derg
junta
, which forced Eshete and many other artists into exile.
Alemayehu Eshete has since gained fame in Europe and the Americas with the release of Buda Musique
's Ethiopiques
series of compilations on compact disc
. Ethiopiques Volume 9 is devoted entirely to recordings of Eshete's earlier music, and Volume 22 covers his career between 1972 and 1974. Other songs have also appeared on Volumes 3, 8, 10, and 13 or the series. In 2008 Eshete toured the United States
with fellow Ethiopian singer Mahmoud Ahmed
, backed by Boston
's 10-piece Either/Orchestra
.
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
) is an Ethiopian Ethio-jazz singer active since the 1960s who primarily sings in Amharic
Amharic language
Amharic is a Semitic language spoken in Ethiopia. It is the second most-spoken Semitic language in the world, after Arabic, and the official working language of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Thus, it has official status and is used nationwide. Amharic is also the official or working...
. Eshete's talent was recognized by colonel Rètta Dèmèqè who invited the young singer to perform with Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
's famous Police Orchestra. Eshete had his first hit ("Seul") in 1961 before moving on to found the orchestra Alèm-Girma Band with Girma Bèyènè
Girma Bèyènè
Girma Bèyènè is a popular Ethiopian lyricist, composer, arranger, vocalist and pianist, most active during the golden era of Ethiopian vinyl record . He only recorded four songs as a vocalist, but arranged more than 60 titles and collaborated to at least 25 other tracks.-References:...
. Over the course of 15 years, Eshete released some 30 singles until the arrival of the communist Derg
Derg
The Derg or Dergue was a Communist military junta that came to power in Ethiopia following the ousting of Haile Selassie I. Derg, which means "committee" or "council" in Ge'ez, is the short name of the Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Territorial Army, a committee of...
junta
Military dictatorship
A military dictatorship is a form of government where in the political power resides with the military. It is similar but not identical to a stratocracy, a state ruled directly by the military....
, which forced Eshete and many other artists into exile.
Alemayehu Eshete has since gained fame in Europe and the Americas with the release of Buda Musique
Buda Musique
Buda Musique is a French Record label specializng in world music, who are especially known for their Ethiopiques series of albums.They have released over 400 albums in their 18 year history....
's Ethiopiques
Ethiopiques
Ethiopiques is a series of compact discs featuring Ethiopian and Eritrean singers and musicians. Many of the Ethiopiques CDs compile various singles and albums that Amha Records, Kaifa Records, and Philips-Ethiopia released during the 1960s and 1970s in Ethiopia...
series of compilations on compact disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
. Ethiopiques Volume 9 is devoted entirely to recordings of Eshete's earlier music, and Volume 22 covers his career between 1972 and 1974. Other songs have also appeared on Volumes 3, 8, 10, and 13 or the series. In 2008 Eshete toured the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with fellow Ethiopian singer Mahmoud Ahmed
Mahmoud Ahmed
Mahmoud Ahmed is an Ethiopian singer of Gurage ancestry.-Biography:Born in Addis Ababa, Mahmoud shined shoes in that city before becoming a handyman at the Arizona Club, where he first sang professionally in the early 1960s...
, backed by Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
's 10-piece Either/Orchestra
Either/Orchestra
The Either/Orchestra is a jazz group formed by Russ Gershon in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, in 1985. E/O is configured as a "small big band", with three saxes, two trumpets and one or two trombones...
.
Partial discography
| Album Information |
|---|
Addis Ababa
|
| Ethiopiques, Vol. 9
|
| Ethiopiques, Vol. 22 (1972–1974)
|