Fendika & Debo Band at International Festival Of Arts & Ideas at New Haven Green

A double-bill of Ethiopian rhythms and dance

Fendika is a super-group of traditional musicians and dancers from Ethiopia. Its musical traditions are rooted in the ancient azmari tradition of bardic minstrels: the dancers draw deeply from the well of tradition, but also tap joyously into their natural creativity. The group’s leader Melaku Belay is the world’s foremost interpreter of eskista, a traditional Ethiopian trance dance of athletic shoulder movements that presage hip hop dance moves like breaking and popping.

Debo Band has won raves for its groundbreaking take on Ethiopian pop music, which incorporates traditional scales and vocal styles alongside American soul and funk rhythms, with instrumentation reminiscent of Eastern European brass bands. The band’s boisterous, energetic performances routinely bring audiences to their feet. Debo Band’s debut record was named one of NPR Music’s 50 Favorite Albums of 2012....

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A double-bill of Ethiopian rhythms and dance

Fendika is a super-group of traditional musicians and dancers from Ethiopia. Its musical traditions are rooted in the ancient azmari tradition of bardic minstrels: the dancers draw deeply from the well of tradition, but also tap joyously into their natural creativity. The group’s leader Melaku Belay is the world’s foremost interpreter of eskista, a traditional Ethiopian trance dance of athletic shoulder movements that presage hip hop dance moves like breaking and popping.

Debo Band has won raves for its groundbreaking take on Ethiopian pop music, which incorporates traditional scales and vocal styles alongside American soul and funk rhythms, with instrumentation reminiscent of Eastern European brass bands. The band’s boisterous, energetic performances routinely bring audiences to their feet. Debo Band’s debut record was named one of NPR Music’s 50 Favorite Albums of 2012.

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