Mulatu Astatke & The Black Jesus Experience
The pioneer of Ethio jazz, Mulatu Astatke developed his sound through studies in the UK during the ‘50s and a series of seminal recordings for domestic label Amha before travelling to New York to record the ‘Mulatu Of Ethiopia’ album. Since collaborating with The Heliocentrics in 2009 for Strut, he has continued recording and is a major draw on the global touring circuit.
BLACK JESUS EXPERIENCE (BJX) is a ten piece band playing an irresistibly danceable alloy of traditional Ethiopian song and 21st Century groove. Like the diverse backgrounds of its members, BJX’s music reflects the multicultural vibrancy of the band’s hometown, Melbourne, Australia. Singer Enushu began entertaining her local community as a child in Addis Ababa. Forced to leave Ethiopia, Enushu migrated to Australia bringing hauntingly beautiful compositions inspired by her remarkable life story and the unique vocal traditions of Ethiopia. Enushu is joined on vocals by poetic giant and lyrical miracle Mr Monk, Zimbabwe born and Outback bred.
When not touring BJX run a weekly session at cultural hub The Horn creating new songs live on stage featuring guest artists from all walks of life. The facility BJX has with this practice lies in the improvising traditions of that feed BJX including Hip Hop, Jazz, Azmari and Funk. Black Jesus Experience have released their 6th studio album, their second collaboration with their long time mentor, the inventor of Ethio-Jazz: Mulatu Astatke. The album To Know Without Knowing was recorded and mixed across 3 continents, and upon release has already been The Guardian Jazz Album of the Month and Bandcamp Album of the Day. The rhymes and chimes of Black Jesus Experience deliver the power and beauty of Africa through the vocal prism of Hip-Hop and freedom of Funk.
Contact our team now to discuss working with Mulatu Astake & The Black Jesus Experience.
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