Mulatu Astatke will bring the unique sounds of Ethio-jazz to the Temple of Dendur on September 9
Who: Mulatu Astatke
What: Live concert in the Temple of Dendur
Where: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave. at 82nd St., 212-535-7710
When: Friday, September 9, $65, 7:00
Why: Ethiopian musician Mulatu Astatke, the Father of Ethio-jazz, will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the release of his first records, the two-volume Afro-Latin Soul, which were recorded in New York City, with a special performance in the Temple of Dendur at the Met Fifth Avenue on September 9. It should prove to be a fascinating venue for the seventy-two-year-old Astatke, who mixes traditional Ethiopian music with American improvisational jazz to create his unique, experimental sound, which can be heard on such albums as Yekatit, Assiyo Bellema, Mulatu Steps Ahead, and Sketches of Ethiopia. Part of the MetLiveArts program and a collaboration with the World Music Institute, the show will feature Astatke on vibraphone, wurlitzer, and percussion, Adam O’Farrill on trumpet, James Arben on saxophone, Jason Lindner on keyboards, Tal Massiah on bass, and Daniel Freedman on drums.