SWINGING ADDIS: AN ETHIOPIAN NIGHT ALEMU AGA ALEMAYEHU ESHETE & BANDUME’S BAND & GETATCHEW MEKURIA

Among fans, the Ethiopian music culture has been known as one of the most original in Africa. Asiatic sounding pentatonics and a bouncy, irregular rhythm are combined with the raw expression of the American soul, jazz and funk. Alèmu Aga plays the begana, better known as the ‘harp of King David’ – an ancient 10-string lyre with a unique, surrealistic sound. Aga sings along the texts origination from the time in which the bible was written. Alèmayèhu Eshèté is the James Brown of Ethiopia, a charismatic soul shooter that occupies two parts of the prestigious, 23 part Ethiopiques CD series. Special guest is saxophonist Getatchew Mekuria who raised the roof off the Bimhuis with The Ex last year. Instead of the regular a la carte menu there will be a Ethiopian buffet at the Bimhuiscafé-restaurant, from 7pm, euro 15. Reservations via Bimhuis office +31 (0)20 788 2150 (Mo-Fri 10am-5pm) or Bimhuis café +31 (0)20788 2158.