Ethiopian jazz musician Mulatu Astatke smiled as he held his arms aloft to acknowledge his audience for the last time. Last month in London, the 82-year-old pioneer, who has done much to bring his blend of musical styles to the world, played his final live concert after a six-decade performing career. Twenty years ago, he gained a wider listenership after the soundtrack for the 2005 Hollywood film 'Broken Flowers' included his music, and the use of one of his recordings in last year's best-picture-Oscar-nominated 'Nickel Boys' saw further interest. But since the 1960s, he has used the studio and rehearsal room as a laboratory where he has mixed musical styles to create what he calls the 'science' of Ethio-jazz.
Outside, it was a cold November evening, but inside the West End venue, Mulatu was bathed in the warm embrace of a crowd eager to get one last glimpse of this alchemist at work. Dressed in a shirt featuring work by Ethiopian artist Afework Tekle, he slowly and steadily walked on stage.
Squeezing past a set of congas, he came to his signature instrument – the vibraphone. With two pink-felted mallets in his right hand and one in the left, he began to pick out the mesmeric rhythm and melody, expertly striking the xylophone-like metal bars creating a delicate, resonant sound. The first song was based on a 4th Century tune from the Ethiopian Orthodox church.
'It was a beautiful show. Really enjoyed it,' Mulatu told the BBC in his gentle voice after the concert. But he would not be drawn on how he felt saying goodbye to his international fans.
For US musician and composer Dexter Story, the gig was 'bittersweet'. 'It was so vibrant and so alive. A reverent and gracious… and wonderful, wonderful energy,' he said. 'I'm very saddened that we won't have this genius… touring the world.' But his influence will live on in his recordings.
Mulatu's mission remains to broaden the range of traditional instruments from his homeland by 'computerising' the sound. His unique blend of modern and traditional music continues to resonate with fans worldwide, ensuring that the legacy of Ethio-jazz will live on.
Outside, it was a cold November evening, but inside the West End venue, Mulatu was bathed in the warm embrace of a crowd eager to get one last glimpse of this alchemist at work. Dressed in a shirt featuring work by Ethiopian artist Afework Tekle, he slowly and steadily walked on stage.
Squeezing past a set of congas, he came to his signature instrument – the vibraphone. With two pink-felted mallets in his right hand and one in the left, he began to pick out the mesmeric rhythm and melody, expertly striking the xylophone-like metal bars creating a delicate, resonant sound. The first song was based on a 4th Century tune from the Ethiopian Orthodox church.
'It was a beautiful show. Really enjoyed it,' Mulatu told the BBC in his gentle voice after the concert. But he would not be drawn on how he felt saying goodbye to his international fans.
For US musician and composer Dexter Story, the gig was 'bittersweet'. 'It was so vibrant and so alive. A reverent and gracious… and wonderful, wonderful energy,' he said. 'I'm very saddened that we won't have this genius… touring the world.' But his influence will live on in his recordings.
Mulatu's mission remains to broaden the range of traditional instruments from his homeland by 'computerising' the sound. His unique blend of modern and traditional music continues to resonate with fans worldwide, ensuring that the legacy of Ethio-jazz will live on.
