Philadelphia » Calendar » Qwanqwa at Solar Myth
Qwanqwa at Solar Myth
Courtesy of Melissa Simpson | Posted on February 22, 2024
When
Sat, April 13, 2024
8:00 pm
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Musicians
About
Ars Nova Workshop presents a special performance by QWANQWA, a five-piece improvisatory ensemble based in Addis Ababa and dedicated to furthering Ethiopia’s unique musical traditions, on Saturday, April 13 at Solar Myth. Inspired by a shared passion for Ethiopian music, the group brings together some of the most accomplished traditional players in the country; creating a space to explore new sounds and break the rules in an otherwise conservative musical culture.
QWANQWA takes its name from the Amharic word for “language,” dedicated to creating musical dialogues between cultures and the proposition that music is a universal language that transcends borders. Their singular sound is built on an array of Ethiopian traditional instruments. QWANQWA was founded by American violinist Kaethe Hostetter, who first performed Ethiopian music as a founding member of Debo Band. After relocating to Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, in 2009, she dove deep into the culture, working on numerous musical projects. In 2012 Hostetter brought together some of the undisputed heavyweights in Addis Ababa’s music scene to form QWANQWA....