Ethiopia: A Musical Perspective: Feb 11, 2012
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To celebrate Black History Month,
the rich musical traditions of “Abyssinia” or present day Ethiopia… |
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a comprehensive look at the country’s musical forms:the monochord music of the ‘Azmaris’ (story-telling and social commentary through song); the pentatonic and varied regional sounds; and the hybrid modern stylings of ethio-jazz. |
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| Saturday, February 11, 2012 | 8:00 PM Glenn Gould Studio 250 Front St W $25 at the door…. |
tickets on sale at these locations:
Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant 869 Bloor St W |
| (online sale ends at 1 PM Saturday) | |
Ethiopia has the enviable position in the African continent of being the only country that was never colonized by European powers. It also had the longest continuous monarchy until the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie in the ‘70s by the military. Ethiopia has a glorious past with a great civilization, one of a few countries with a written language (the Ge’ez script) and a developed system of governance. The resilience and bravery of the Ethiopian people in resisting Italian campaigns to colonize it are often seen by many Africans as a catalyst that sowed the seeds of independence for their countries. The idea of a United Africa started in Ethiopia; hence, Africa’s first parliament was established in Addis Ababa, the capital city.
listen to songs and an interview with series curator Francis Falceto | NPR 2006:
Jazz from the Horn of Africa: ‘Ethiopiques’
Toronto has one of the largest Ethiopian populations in Canada; there is already a large pool of talent within this community.Having interacted on many occasions with its leaders and artists. Batuki Music Society’s Artistic Director proposed the idea to put together a musical collective to showcase the various traditions and cultures of Ethiopia.
There will be an array of traditional and modern instruments displaying on a single stage for the first time in Canada the wealth of talent and energy from “the Horn of Plenty”.. Batuki Music Society is offering fresh eyes at defining what Ethiopian music is.
Batuki Music Society gratefully acknowledges the support of
Toronto Arts Council, Canadian Heritage and Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant
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Batuki Music Society is an incorporated non-profit community-based organization that promotes African music and art through performances at music venues throughout the year and culminating into a weekend festival at the end of the programming season. The organization actively seeks out local artists and works with them by helping find performance venues, advice on career development, music recording, touring and management.
