Professor Ashenafi Kebede > The Shepherd With The Flute. Ethiopian Instrumental Music

The Shepherd with the Flute is originally written and arranged by the late Professor Ashenafi Kebede. Professor Ashenafi Kebede (Amharic: አሸናፊ ከበደ; 1938 – May 8, 1998) was an Ethiopian composer, conductor, ethnomusicologist, historical musicologist, music educator, novelist, and poet.


He founded the National Saint Yared School of Music in Ethiopia, serving as its first director (1963–1968).

He was designated a National Composer by Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, in 1967. Shortly after that he began his graduate studies in the United States, and earned the first Ph.D. in ethnomusicology at Wesleyan University.

Ashenafi was a prolific writer. His works include a novel, Confession (1964), articles in ethnomusicology journals, the book Roots of Black Music, and numerous articles in The Chronicler, the magazine of the Center for African-American Culture.

In his own compositions he combined Ethiopian and Japanese musical ideas. "Koturasia" is one such piece, written for flute, clarinet, violin, and Japanese koto. Among his other musical compositions were "Peace unto Ethiopia" and "The Life of Our Nation". His best-known composition, though rarely heard outside Ethiopia, was "The Shepherds Flute", performed in 1968 with the Bulgarian Symphonic orchestra.

In the United States, he was director of the internationally known Ethiopian Research Council,[1] consisting of a group of Ethiopian and American scholars and professionals. At the time of his death he was director of the Center of African-American Culture at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

ኘሮፌሰር አሸናፊ ከበደ > እረኛው ባለዋሽንቱ | Professor Ashenafi Kebede > The Shepherd With The Flute - Sym·pho·ny

አለምአየሁ እሸቴ > አልተለየሽኝም | Alemayehu Eshete > Alteleyeshegnem


Alemayehu Eshete is an Ethiopian singer nicknamed the Ethiopian Elvis Princely. In the 1960s and 70s Alemayehu stole the hearts of Ethiopian music lovers in his unique modern sounds, arrangement and stage moves. His songs are socially conscious, reflecting the political and social turbulences at the time.

He is known for his superb fashion choices, mainly influence by cow boy style. Many remember him for his long hair style and veil suits.

Alemayehu is considered one of the best singers of the 1960s and 70s, which are considered the golden age of Ethiopian music. His music is still loved by the present generation. Alemayehu still performs in Ethiopia and around the world.

Early life
Alemayehu was born in 1941 in Addis Ababa, known us Italian Sefer near to Piazza. His father owned one the few taxi’s in Addis Ababa and was a driver. When he was only 6 months old, his parents separated his mother took Alemayehu to Dessie. He was raised in Dessie Town until he was three years old.

His father brought Alemayehu back to Addis Ababa for an education.  He joined Christian Training Institute boarding school in Addis Ababa, where he was thought spiritual songs. His teachers at the time recognized Alemayehu’s voice as an exceptional and was considered their top singer in their quire.

When the boarding school decide to close its boys section, to become exclusively girl’s school/ Alemayehu joined Arbegnoch School in Addis Ababa. He was introduced to rock and roll music and fall in love with Elvis Princely and other widely known musicians at the time. He used to perform in different events in his school including for graduations, school party and other shows. Alemayehu admits that his early life is greatly influenced by western life style, music and movies

When he was in high school, he even tried to run away from his family, to go to the United States, believing that he had a shot in Hollywood. He first went to Asmara, Eritrea, and then to Massawa port. However, his effort to leave the country resulted many complications at Massawa port and he ended up in prison in Asmera. He was released and return to Addis Ababa.

Career
Alemayehu started his music career, in the 1950s. His talent was recognized first by Colonel Retta Demeke, a musician in the famous Addis Ababa Police Orchestra. Retta invited Alemayehu to perform with the Orchestra. He played with the orchestra until 1960, and had many of his early hits including Seul. Alemayehu credits the orchestra for teaching him music, and discipline.

Alemayehu then established one of the first private bands in Ethiopia, Solecos Band.  He was a core singer for the band. The band was famous among schools in Addis Ababa, playing in graduations and school day events.

When the Derg Regime came to power, Alemayehu exiled to the United States of America. He started playing to the Ethiopian diaspora in Europe and America. It was then he released his early music on a serious of compilation of Compact Disc with a title of Buda Musique’s Ethiopiques. The 22 volumes of compact disc was entirely dedicated for his early songs with the Police Orchestra and Alem-Girma Band as well as the singles he released on his own in the early 1970s. After the release of the volumes, Alemayehu toured the United States and Europe.

Alemayehu has more than 380 records all together.

Personal Life
Alemayehu currently lives in Addis Ababa Ethiopia with his wife of 50 years. They have seven children together.

አለምአየሁ እሸቴ > አልተለየሽኝም | Alemayehu Eshete > Alteleyeshegnem

ምን ነገር ነግሩሽ

Tsome Diguwa

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alegntaye

Beautiful Tigrinyan melody from Tewolde Redda. This track is taken from an LP of Northern Ethiopian songs called "Ethiopian Hit Parade." I picked this up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in April, 2012.

አለምአየሁ እሸቴ > አልተለየሽኝም | Alemayehu Eshete > Alteleyeshegnem

Ethiopian Music ; Yoftahe’s Collection

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