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The Ethio King

Although the artist's concert was originally planned for November, it had to be cancelled on medical advice. However, good things come to those who wait, and this long-awaited musical celebration is finally set to take place. Mulatu Astatke, the trailblazer of ethio jazz, an iconic figure in world music, and a passionate advocate for African music, is coming to Poznań.

A photo of a smiling musician with musical instruments behind him. - grafika artykułu
Mulatu Astatke, photograph from the press
A photo of a smiling musician with musical instruments behind him.
The artist is dressed in a cream jacket and shirt, sits in a brightly lit room, and holds yellow drumsticks or cymbals in his hands.
Mulatu is looking into space, lost in thought. He is wearing a navy blue sweater, with the collar of a blue striped shirt peeking out from under it. He is holding dark pink instrument chopsticks in his hand.

Some might question whether the 80-year-old maestro still has the stamina for live performances, but it is safe to assume that this evening in the Grand Hall of the Castle will be nothing short of remarkable. Renowned for his mastery of the vibraphone, Mulatu Astatke is a versatile multi-instrumentalist, equally adept at percussion, keyboards, and string instruments. Born in Ethiopia, he honed his musical craft through studies in both the UK and the US.

Astatke's international breakthrough came in the 21st century, when his albums from the 1960s and 1970s were re-released globally. Interestingly, his music had already made its way to Poland on vinyl as early as 1989. Astatke garnered widespread acclaim for his compositions featured in Jim Jarmusch's unforgettable and brilliant film Broken Flowers. One critic described his sound as "a fusion of danceable rhythms and African grooves, brimming with positive energy and bridging continents and generations alike."

Written by the Editors

translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski

Mulatu Astatke, Grand Hall, Zamek (Castle) Cultural Centre, 7 February (CONCERT POSTPONED TO 7.09.2025), 8pm, tickets: PLN 169-190

© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2025