BILLED as ‘the father of Ethio-jazz’, Mulatu Astatke is said to be one of Africa’s most influential and enduring musical figures of the past 50 or so years.

Playing music you love is obviously good for your health as he looks much younger than he really is.  A master of the vibraphone, Mulatu Astatke infuses traditional Ethiopian melodies and rhythms with Latin, Euro and American jazz.  Performing together with Australia’s global-funk-machine, Black Jesus Experience, he produced a concert that was rich in sound and rhythm and had the audience literally dancing in the aisles by the end of the show.

Astatke moves effortlessly from the vibraphone to keyboard and percussion during the concert.  He’s not an animated performer, playing with quiet assurance and total concentration.

Black Jesus Experience members are more outgoing performers and are clearly excellent musicians.  The band consists of tenor saxophone, trumpet, bass, drums, guitar, keyboard and percussion and they have been touring Australia with Mulatu Astatke.  This Canberra concert was their final of the tour.

In addition to the musicians, there were two vocalists.  The imposingly tall Liam Monkhouse sang in a rap style and has a strikingly deep voice.  The lyrics he was singing were unintelligible but maybe that wasn’t important.  Negat Abate, a beautiful woman in flowing African dress, provided haunting vocals.

Each band member had the opportunity to demonstrate their skills with their instruments dominating at certain points in the music.  The playing of Peter Harper on tenor saxophone, Ian Dixon on trumpet and Bobby Sedergreen on keyboards were especially thrilling.