Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Ethio-Jazz - Coggle Diagram
Ethio-Jazz
2. How jazz moderised traditional Ethiopian music- ‘a contemporary expression of ancient Ethiopian music’ (Mulatu interview 2007: 3), ‘knowing one’s own culture is a must, but following one’s own style is a choice’
- While Ethiopian traditional sounds were popular in Ethiopia, this innovaitve fusion began to grow to an international scale of populatiry, giving Ethiopia recognition on the world stage.
-
- Modern, fun and familiar echos of traditional Ethiopian sounds making it resonate locally and internationally while maintaining cultural uniqueness. Signifying was also a big part of Ethiopian culture in worship and jazz gave it a way to be enjoyed in popular music.
Jazz introduces new rhythmic possibilities and syncopation that enrich the complexity of traditional Ethiopian rhythms (such as 5/4 or 7/8 time signatures), giving musicians a wider palette for political and emotional expression.
- The father of Ethio-jazz Mulatu Astake emhpaisied his goal with retuning to Ethiopia after studing and listening to jazz in his teens and 20's was to ‘upgrade and promote our music’ (Cleret & Holland 2005: 87)-
- Up until the 20’s and 30’s, traditional music remained the most popular genre among Ethiopians. As one of the two only nations in Africa to have remained uncolonized until the late 20th century (3,000 years approx undisturbed) we see little outside influence on Ethiopian music styles or genres. Musicians typically played pentatonic Etihopian melodies on instruments such as the masenqo, a one stringed fiddle, and the krar, a stringed bowl-shaped lyre
(https://theshfl.com/guide/Ethio-Jazz)
-
- How was Ethio-jazz used as defiance agasint censorship?
- It must be noted that Mulatu was inspired by African-American jazz, he did not have to compete with white counterparts and battle damaging stereotypes in Ethiopia, although they faced censorship. As Ethio-Jazz incorporates elements of western music, particularly instruments and harmonic structures. African-American musicians were forced to play under racist laws and racial prejudice . or this reason we see what Ethio-jazz means to the listener and musicians as cultural expression and defiance against outsider forces during the Soviet and Fascist take over. Ethiopian music primarily confronts external cultural suppression, while African American music addresses internal societal injustices, what they mean in their respective cultures is different but linked as ethio-jazz is born from african-american jazz.
- After thousands of years without outsider disturbance, Ethiopia faced two notable periods of takeover; First a fascist takeover from 1935-1941 and later a 20 year Soviet-backed miliatry junta takeover known as the Derg. Defining things about these periods was that , ‘songs of entertainment and happiness were officially forbidden’, all things Ethiopian in character were prohibited. The sentiment was that all things were done for the state.
squashed Ethiopia’s budding musical scene and liberal social life. Because it was considered a Western import, much of Ethiopia’s popular music was censored
- While manu musicins feld, we still see a few notable names continue to produce Ethio-Jazz. Their defiance comes from continuing to use music with western influence, while expressing their own cultural identity at the same time, often through instrumental tracks so as not to draw attention from the government. Even without lyrics, Ethio-jazz musicians drew upon well-known Ethiopian modes to provoke emotion and send a message through their music that freedom will come again.
-
- Cultural expresison (Tezeta mode)
- The tezeta mode can be compared to blues in the western world which both can express a feeling and a scale. Further, both use a flattened third, serving as a point of tension and release. use distinct flourishes and descents of notes to create a dream-like quality, evoking the well known feelings associated with Tezeta. This is where we hear noticeably different insturmnts in Ethio-jazz like the vibraphone, sax, guitar and a lack of brass as this popular mode did not need their more harsh sound.
- The unique sound of Ethio-jazz comes from the traditional Ethiopian scales it is played in. Just as jazz musicians in the US used jazz standrds, Ethio-Jazz musicians drew upon the the 5 traditional Ethiopian scales used to express disitnct emotions/ feleings. In this case Tezeta, meaning nostiala is one pf the most popular modes is used as it is a well known in popular music in Ethiopia and therefore even with modern fusion, the meloncholic and bitter sweet feelings are still conveyed to all Ethiopian listsners. Giving them a new sound and way to express cultural identity.
- AUDIO EXAMPLE; Tezeta, Mulatu Astake
- The idea of new beginnings and change that is deeply linked to the Tezeta mode, Tizita songs not only guide listeners on a journey of introspection and reflection, but they also offer solace by acknowledging the certainty of change and impermanence. It is an idea close to the heart of all Ethiopians, that brings reflection. The use of traditional modes in Ehtio-jazz allows Ethiopians feel this sentiment in a brand new way.
Intro
- Hello. Today, we will explore a sub-genre of jazz that has an incredibly distinct and melodic sound, Ethio-Jazz. To new listeners this sound has been decribed as 'seemingly familiar and yet at once unique, Ethio-Jazz blends traditional Ethiopian sounds and instruments with the twelve-tones on which we base western music, the result is a rich sound, with funk, latin and soul twists. In this presentation, I am to explore why Ethio-jazz is significant to the Ethiopian musicians that plat it, and what it means to its listeners.
- First we will explore what diasporic opportunities jazz has provided for musicians and communities, then applying this idea in the context of Ethio-jazz. Next, we will cover three areas of interestet that will help us understand why Ethio-jazz has meaning to the Ethiopian people and why it began. Firstly looking at how it helped modernise Ethiopian traditional music, how it was used to be defiant against censorship and lastly, looking at how this example of fusion acts a vehicle to express cultural indentity through a modern lens.
- Why is Ethio-jazz meaningful?
-
-