Occupation(s) Vocalist Role Singer Years active 1960s–present | Name Alemayehu Eshete | |
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Similar People Mahmoud Ahmed, Tilahun Gessesse, Badume's Band, Mulatu Astatke, Girma Beyene | ||
Alemayehu eshete
Alemayehu Eshete (Amharic: ዓለማየሁ እሸቴ?) (also written Alèmayèhu Eshèté in French) is an Ethiopian Ethio-jazz singer. He has performed since the 1960s and primarily sings in Amharic. Eshete has been nicknamed "the Ethiopian Elvis".
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Career
Eshete's talent was recognized by colonel Rètta Dèmèqè who invited the young singer to perform with Addis Ababa's famous Police Orchestra. Eshete had his first hit ("Seul") in 1961 before moving on to found the orchestra Alèm-Girma Band with Girma Bèyènè. Over the course of 15 years, Eshete released some 30 singles until the arrival of the communist Derg junta, which forced Eshete and many other artists into exile.
Alemayehu Eshete has since gained fame in Europe and the Americas with the release of Buda Musique's Ethiopiques series of compilations on compact disc. Ethiopiques Volume 9 is devoted entirely to recordings of Eshete's earlier music, and Volume 22 covers his career between 1972 and 1974. Other songs have also appeared on Volumes 3, 8, 10, and 13 or the series. In 2008 Eshete toured the United States with fellow Ethiopian singer Mahmoud Ahmed, backed by Boston's 10-piece Either/Orchestra.
