Mulatu Astatke

Overview

We wouldn't have the pleasure of Astatke's music if he'd followed his family's wishes and trained as an engineer. Instead, young Mulatu (he's 72 now and going stronger than ever) chose to study music at the esteemed Trinity Hall in London, followed by stints in Boston where he crafted his unique sound into the jazz we're going to be treated to at the Wellington Jazz Festival.

Dubbed the 'father of Ethio Jazz' (he hails from Ethiopia), Astatke uses jazz and latin music, combined with traditional Ethiopian music to make that unique sound. Working with jazz greats such as Duke Ellington to being sampled on Kanye West tracks, he is a world music innovater and a constant source of vision.

He will be joined by his backing bank, the Melbourne-based Black Jesus Experience.