The Ex - Tribute To Getatchew Mekuria at Bimhuis

Memorable tribute to the recently deceased Ethiopian saxophone player Getatchew Mekuria, with the bands The Ex and Fendika, circus artists and special guests.

On April 4, 2016 the Ethiopian saxophone player Getatchew Mekuria passed away, at age 81 and following a career spanning 68 years. Befriended groups The Ex and Fendika pay tribute to this great musician with special guests such as saxophonist Ken Vandermark, the Ethiopian Circus Debre Berhan and Zerfu Demissie, master of the Ethiopian harp, the Begena. The new photo book on Getatchew Mekuria and the new Fendika album Birabiro will be presented during the concert....

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Memorable tribute to the recently deceased Ethiopian saxophone player Getatchew Mekuria, with the bands The Ex and Fendika, circus artists and special guests.

On April 4, 2016 the Ethiopian saxophone player Getatchew Mekuria passed away, at age 81 and following a career spanning 68 years. Befriended groups The Ex and Fendika pay tribute to this great musician with special guests such as saxophonist Ken Vandermark, the Ethiopian Circus Debre Berhan and Zerfu Demissie, master of the Ethiopian harp, the Begena. The new photo book on Getatchew Mekuria and the new Fendika album Birabiro will be presented during the concert.

The members of Dutch punk band The Ex have developed a great fondness for Ethiopian music. With his raw style, reminiscent of Albert Ayler, saxophone player Getatchew Mekuria has always had a special place in their hearts. A dream came true when it turned out that the musician from Addis Abeba was willing to play with them on their second tour in Ethiopia. Between 2004 and 2012 they have performed over 100 concerts and recorded two albums together.

The Ex have defied categorization ever since they started playing in 1979. Departing from a line-up with guitars, bass, drums and voice The Ex continue to musically explore undiscovered areas. In 2002 The Ex set up a lively musical exchange with Ethiopia. To this day the band has worked completely independent of record companies, managers or roadies.

‘Staying a bird, staying independent, free if you will, for three decades, that takes skill and something else, something more like heart’ (music journalist John Corbett on The Ex).

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