Person

Mulatu Astatke

Also known as: Astatke, Astatqe, M. Astatke, Mulato Astatke, Mulatu, Mulatu Astake, Mulatu Astaqé, Mulatu Astataque, Mulatu Astatike, Mulatu Astatké, Mulatu Astatkie, Mulatu Astatqe

Mulatu Astatke (Amharic: ሙላቱ አስታጥቄ; also written Astatqé on French releases) is arguably one of the most influential and legendary musicians from Ethiopia. During the 1960’s, he studied music abroad in London, Boston, and New York. He then returned home to Ethiopia armed with a love for jazz and Latin music. There he blended Ethiopian traditional music with the Latin-jazz he was so fond of to create a unique hybrid he called “Ethio-jazz”. Mulatu Astatke is first and foremost a composer but also a multi-instrumentalist, playing the vibraphone, keyboards and organs. He is further credited as having established congas and bongos, instruments normally central to Latin styles, in Ethiopian music. However, as Ethiopian songs traditionally focused on vocals his greatest contribution to the music of his country was introducing a new focus on instrumentation. Three of his LPs were recorded in New York City – his first two, Afro-Latin Soul Volumes 1 & 2 in 1966, plus later Mulatu of Ethiopia in 1972. The bulk of his output was on Amha Records (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) on which he released several 7” singles as well as one LP in 1974 entitled Yekatit Ethio-Jazz. Of late, Mulatu Astatke has been the center of renewed attention in the West through a compilation on the Parisian series Ethiopiques (Buda Musique) and a 10” 4-track compilation on the Soundway label out of Brighton England. Most notably, a number of his tracks were also featured in director Jim Jarmush’s 2005 independent film Br

Member of: Ethio Stars

Discography

Mote Adeladayou / Yekermo Saw
1969 · Single · Vinyl · 1 track ▾
Arrangement
- B2. Yekermo SawPerformerComposer
Gara Ser Naw Betesh / Meche Derische
1969 · Single · Vinyl · 1 track ▾
Arrangement
- B2. Meche DerischePerformerComposer
Yebekagnale / Yegele Tezeta
1969 · Single · Vinyl · 1 track ▾
Arrangement
- B2. Yegele TezetaPerformerComposer
Mulatu In London
1969 · Single · Vinyl
Sithed Siketelat / Yefikir Tizita
1970 · Single · Vinyl · 2 tracks ▾
- A1. Sithed SiketelatArrangement
- B2. Yefikir TizitaPerformerArrangement
Tiz Alegn Yetintu / Emnete
1970 · Single · Vinyl · 1 track ▾
ArrangementPercussionPiano
- B2. EmnetePerformer
Plays Ethio-Jazz
1989 · Album · Vinyl · 8 tracks ▾
Composer
- A1. Addis AbabaVibraphonePercussion
- A2. GambellaVibraphonePercussion
- A3. MotherlandPercussionVibraphone
- A4. Kulun ManqualeshPercussionVibraphone
- A5. Crusin' "J" TownVibraphonePercussion
Assiyo Bellema
1994 · Album · Cassette
ArrangementPercussionVibraphone
No cover
Assiyo Bellema
1994 · Album · CD
Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974
1998 · Compilation · CD · 14 tracks ▾
- 1. Yèkèrmo SèwKeyboardsWritten By
- 2. Mètché DershéKeyboardsWritten By
- 3. Kasalèfkut HuluKeyboardsWritten By
- 4. TezetaKeyboardsArrangement
- 5. Yègellé TezetaKeyboardsWritten By
Memories
2000 · Album · CD
Ethio Jazz =የካተት
2002 · Album · Vinyl · 7 tracks ▾
Keyboards
- A1. YèkatitWritten By
- A2. NètsanètWritten By
- A3. Tezetayé Antchi LidjWritten By
- A4. SabyéArrangement
- B5. Yèkèrmo SèwWritten By
- B7. Gubèlyé
No cover
Ethio Jazz
2002 · Album · Vinyl · 7 tracks ▾
Keyboards
- A1. YèkatitWritten By
- A2. NètsanètWritten By
- A3. Tezetayé Antchi LidjWritten By
- A4. SabyéArrangement
- B5. Yèkèrmo SèwWritten By
- B7. GubèlyéArrangement
No cover
Echos Of Ethiopa. Creative Music With Ethiopian Roots
2002 · Album · CD
ComposerArrangementKeyboards
No cover
Mulatu Of Ethiopia
2003 · Album · Vinyl · 7 tracks ▾
- A1. MulatuWritten By
- A2. Mascaram SetabaArrangement
- A3. DewelArrangement
- B4. KulunmanqueleshiArrangement
- B5. Kasalefkut-HuluWritten By
- B6. MunayeArrangement
Mulatu Astatke
2005 · Album · Vinyl
Composer
No cover
Assiyo Bellema
2005 · Album · CD
Ethio Jazz Vol. 1
2006 · Album · CD
No cover
Mulatu Of Ethiopia
2009 · Album · CD · 7 tracks ▾
- 1. MulatuWritten By
- 2. Mascaram SetabaArrangement
- 3. DewelArrangement
- 4. KulunmanqueleshiArrangement
- 5. Kasalefkut-HuluWritten By
- 6. MunayeArrangement
New York - Addis - London - The Story Of Ethio Jazz 1965-1975
2009 · Compilation · Vinyl · 20 tracks ▾
- A1. Yèkèrmo SèwComposerArrangement
- A2. I Faram Gami I FaramComposerArrangement
- A3. ShaguComposerArrangement
- A4. EmneteComposerArrangement
- A5. MulatuComposerArrangement
No cover
New York - Addis - London - The Story Of Ethio Jazz 1965-1975
2009 · Compilation · CD · 1 track ▾
- 7. Asiyo BellemaComposerArrangement
No cover
Inspiration Information
2009 · Album · CD
Inspiration Information
2009 · Album · Vinyl · 7 tracks ▾
- A1. MasenqoArrangement
- A2. Cha ChaPercussionVibraphoneWritten By
- A3. MulatuVibraphoneWritten By
- B6. DewelVibraphoneWritten By
- C8. Esketa DanceKeyboardsWritten By
No cover
Inspiration Information
2009 · Album · CD
No cover
Inspiration Information 3
2009 · Album · Digital
A Man Of Experience And Wisdom / Echoes / Aphreaka
2010 · Album · Vinyl · 1 track ▾
- A1. A Man Of Experience And Wisdom (Zopelar Edit)Performer
No cover
Mochilla Presents Timeless
2010 · Album · CD
PercussionVibraphoneWritten By
Mulatu Steps Ahead
2010 · Album · Vinyl · 9 tracks ▾
Executive Producer
- A1. RadcliffeComposerArrangementPerformerVibraphone
- A2. Green AfricaComposerArrangementPercussionPerformerVibraphone
- B3. The Way To NiceComposerArrangementVibraphone
- B4. AssosaArrangement
Yègellé Tezeta / As We Enter
2010 · Single · Vinyl · 1 track ▾
- A1. Yègellé TezetaPerformer
Mochilla Presents Timeless : Mulatu / A Suite For Ma Dukes / Verocai
2010 · Album · Other
Mulatu Steps Ahead
2010 · Album · CD · 9 tracks ▾
Executive Producer
- 1. RadcliffeComposerArrangementPerformerVibraphone
- 2. Green AfricaComposerArrangementPercussionPerformerVibraphone
- 3. The Way To NiceComposerArrangementVibraphone
- 4. AssosaArrangement
No cover
Mochilla Presents Timeless
2010 · Album · Other
PercussionVibraphoneWritten By
No cover
Mulatu Steps Ahead
2010 · Album · Digital · 9 tracks ▾
Executive Producer
- 1. RadcliffeComposerArrangementPerformerVibraphone
- 2. Green AfricaComposerArrangementPercussionPerformerVibraphone
- 3. The Way To NiceComposerArrangementVibraphone
- 4. AssosaArrangement
Yègellé Tezeta / Kasalèfkut Hulu
2012 · Single · Vinyl
Sketches Of Ethiopia
2013 · Album · CD
ArrangementProducerKeyboardsPianoVibraphone
No cover
Ethio Jazz
2013 · Album · Vinyl · 7 tracks ▾
Keyboards
- A1. YèkatitWritten By
- A2. NètsanètWritten By
- A3. Tezetayé Antchi LidjWritten By
- A4. SabyéArrangement
- B5. Yèkèrmo SèwWritten By
- B7. GubèlyéArrangement
No cover
Sketches Of Ethiopia
2013 · Album · Vinyl · 4 tracks ▾
KeyboardsPianoVibraphoneArrangementProducer
- A1. Assosa DeracheWritten By
- A3. GamoWritten By
- B4. Motherland AbayWritten By
- B6. Surma (Original Extended Version)Written By
Sketches Of Ethiopia
2013 · Album · CD
No cover
Sketches Of Ethiopia
2013 · Album · Digital
No cover
Sketches Of Ethiopia
2013 · Album · CD · 5 tracks ▾
KeyboardsPianoVibraphoneArrangementProducer
- 2. GamoWritten By
- 4. GambellaWritten By
- 5. Assosa DeracheWritten By
- 7. Motherland AbayWritten By
- 8. SurmaWritten By
Ethio Jazzየካቲት
2015 · Album · Vinyl · 3 tracks ▾
PianoArrangement
- A2. Yekermo Saw =የከርሞ ስውWritten By
- A5. Yetatit =የካቲትWritten By
- B6. Netsanet =ነፃነትWritten By
No cover
Yegele Tezeta / Yekatit
2015 · Single · Vinyl
Yègellé Tezeta / Yèkatit
2015 · Single · Vinyl
Written By
Assiyo Bélléma / Hasabé
2016 · Single · Vinyl · 1 track ▾
- A1. Assiyo BéllémaPerformerComposer
Gèdawo / Asmarina
2016 · Single · Vinyl · 1 track ▾
- 2. AsmarinaPerformer
Cradle Of Humanity
2016 · Album · Vinyl
PercussionKeyboardsVibraphone
No cover
Ethio Jazz = = エチオ・ジャズየካተት
2016 · Album · CD
PerformerPianoArrangement
Addis 1988
2017 · Album · Vinyl · 9 tracks ▾
Featured Artist
- A1. Aderech Arada, Befikir / Menged Lay WodikePerformerProgrammingWritten By
- A2. KermosewPerformerProgrammingWritten By
- A3. Yetentu Tez AlewPerformerProgrammingWritten By
- A4. Tiz Balegn GizePerformerProgrammingWritten By
No cover
Mulatu Of Ethiopia
2017 · Album · CD
No cover
Mulatu Of Ethiopia
2017 · Album · Vinyl · 7 tracks ▾
- A1. MulatuWritten By
- A2. Mascaram SetabaArrangement
- A3. DewelArrangement
- B4. KulunmanqueleshiArrangement
- B5. Kasalefkut-HuluWritten By
- B6. MunayeArrangement
No cover
Mulatu Of Ethiopia
2017 · Album · Vinyl · 23 tracks ▾
- A1. MulatuWritten By
- A2. Mascaram SetabaArrangement
- A3. DewelArrangement
- B4. KulunmanqueleshiArrangement
- B5. Kasalefkut-HuluWritten By
- B6. MunayeArrangement
No cover
Addis 1988
2017 · Album · CD · 9 tracks ▾
Arrangement
- 1. Aderech Arada, Befkir / Menged Lay WodikeProgrammingWritten By
- 2. KermosewProgrammingWritten By
- 3. Yetentu Tez AlewProgrammingWritten By
- 4. Tiz Balegn GizeProgrammingWritten By
- 5. BugaluConductorWritten By
No cover
Mulatu Of Ethiopia
2017 · Album · CD · 14 tracks ▾
- 1. MulatuWritten By
- 2. Mascaram SetabaArrangement
- 3. DewelArrangement
- 4. KulunmanqueleshiArrangement
- 5. Kasalefkut-HuluWritten By
- 6. MunayeArrangement
No cover
Mulatu Of Ethiopia
2017 · Album · Digital
No cover
Ethio Jazz =የካተት
2018 · Album · Vinyl
ArrangementPiano
No cover
Dare To Be Wild (Original Soundtrack From The Movie)
2018 · Album · Digital · 1 track ▾
- 8. Lalibela Fever DreamFeatured artist
To Know Without Knowing
2019 · Album · Vinyl · 2 tracks ▾
PercussionVibraphoneKeyboards
- A1. MulatuWritten By
- B4. Mascaram SetabaWritten By
No cover
To Know Without Knowing
2019 · Album · CD
No cover
To Know Without Knowing
2020 · Album · Vinyl
PercussionVibraphoneKeyboards
No cover
To Know Without Knowing
2020 · Album · CD · 2 tracks ▾
PercussionVibraphoneKeyboards
- 1. MulatuWritten By
- 8. Mascaram SetabaWritten By
Mochilla Presents Timeless
2021 · Album · Vinyl
PercussionVibraphoneWritten By
No cover
Ethio Jazz = = エチオ・ジャズየካተት
2021 · Album · Vinyl
No cover
Mulatu Of Ethiopia
2024 · Album · Vinyl · 14 tracks ▾
- A1. MulatuWritten By
- A2. Mascaram SetabaArrangement
- A3. DewelArrangement
- B4. KulunmanqueleshiArrangement
- B5. Kasalefkut-HuluWritten By
- B6. MunayeArrangement
No cover
Ethio Jazz = = エチオ・ジャズየካተት
2024 · Album · Vinyl
No cover
Tension
2024 · Album · Vinyl
PercussionVibraphonePiano
No cover
Tension
2025 · Album · CD
PercussionVibraphonePiano
No cover
Ethio Jazz = = エチオ・ジャズየካተት
2025 · Album · Digital
PerformerPianoArrangement
Mulatu Plays Mulatu
2025 · Album · CD · 11 tracks ▾
ArrangementPercussionPianoVibraphoneKeyboards
- 1. ZelesegnaComposer
- 2. KulunComposer
- 3. NetsanetComposer
- 4. Yekermo SewComposer
- 5. AzmariComposer
No cover
Mulatu Plays Mulatu
2025 · Album · Vinyl
ComposerPercussionLiner NotesPianoVibraphoneKeyboards
No cover
Mulatu Plays Mulatu
2025 · Album · Vinyl
No cover
= Ethio Jazz = エチオ・ジャズየካተት
2025 · Album · Vinyl
No cover
New York - Addis - London - The Story Of Ethio Jazz 1965-1975
Compilation · CD · 20 tracks ▾
- 1. Yèkèrmo SèwComposerArrangement
- 2. I Faram Gami I FaramComposerArrangement
- 3. ShaguComposerArrangement
- 4. MulatuComposerArrangement
- 5. FikratchinComposer
No cover
Assiyo Bellema
Album · Cassette
No cover
Inspiration Information
Album · CD · 7 tracks ▾
- 1. MasenqoArrangement
- 2. Cha ChaComposerPercussionVibraphone
- 4. MulatuComposerPerformerVibraphone
- 6. Esketa DanceComposerKeyboards
- 7. Chik ChikkaComposerKeyboardsPiano
No cover
Ethiopian Melodies — Part 3
Album · Cassette
Arrangement

Credits & appearances

Releases and tracks where Mulatu Astatke is credited but not the main artist.

Enken Yelelebish / Ene Negne By Manesh
1969 · Single · Vinyl
Arrangement
Hasabe / Yezemed Yebada
1969 · Single · Vinyl · 1 track ▾
ArrangementComposerPercussion
- A1. HasabeWritten By
Set Alameneme / Yetesfa Tezeta
1969 · Single · Vinyl · 1 track ▾