MINYESHU ETHIO-JAZZ
Afterwards DJ Mombasa at the cafe
Minyeshu zang, Nanette Drazic achtergrond zang, Wouter Schueler tenorsax, Mike Roelofs piano, Guus Bakker bas, Joost Kroon drums
Minyeshu is a child of two worlds. The Ethiopian singer has been living in The Netherlands since 1996 and she combines Ethiopian dance music with western soul and funk elements.
Minyeshu found a new direction on her most recent album Black Ink, with a style that can be described as Zarethopique, with ‘Zare’ meaning ‘today’ in Amharic. The Ethiopian funk on Black Ink was created in collaboration with producer Stefan Kruger (Zuco 103) and co-producers Stefan Schmid (Zuco 103) and Paul Willemsen (Kris Berry, Ruben Hein, Lefties Soul Connection). For this concert Minyeshu will perform her Zarethopique in a special jazz version: propulsive grooves in an Addis Ababa night club atmosphere!
Minyeshu was born in Dire Dawa in eastern Ethiopia. At a young age she moved from the village to the capital city Addis Ababa. At age 17 she started her career at the renowned Ethiopian National Theatre, where she developed her talents as a singer, dancer and choreographer. She took part in the largest ever Ethiopian music and dance production, People to People, with which she toured abroad. She was briefly involved with acting as well.
Minyeshu’s heart lies with music. In Ethiopia she sang and danced mainly in the group Ambassal and in the international band Chewata, with which she toured in Europe. In 1996 she moved to The Netherlands and since then she has performed with, among others, Zoumana Diarra, Anton Goudsmit, Marlène Dorcéna, Nederlands Blazers Ensemble, Metropole Orchestra, New Cool Collective and Azalai. She’s also a well-known artist in Belgium, France and Germany, where she has performed with such artists as Mulatu Astatke, Salif Keita, Youssou N’Dour, Angelique Kidjo and Baaba Maal.
‘Even without understanding Amharic, her emotion is clearly understood, as is her expression of identity. She has a unique story to be sure– an Ethiopian singer, living in The Netherlands, displaying Michael Jackson dance moves– and her music is just as original as that story. (..) Minyeshu proves that she is an artist of great depth’ (Afropop.org).
The Bimhuis restaurant is open prior to the concert from 6.30 til 8.30PM (reservations via 020-7882158). After the concert, the Bimhuis Café is open (free entrance).