Addis Jazz Festival 2026
Dawit Yifru
feat. Girma Beyene
(Ethiopia)
Few names resonate as deeply in the fabric of Ethiopian music as Dawit Yifru—a pioneer whose prolific career has helped shape the soul of modern Ethiopian sound. Born in Addis Ababa Yifru’s journey spans over five decades as a keyboardist, composer, arranger, and visionary bandleader. He co‑founded legendary ensembles like Roha Band and Dahlak Band, collaborations that defined the soundtracks of Addis Ababa’s vibrant music scene throughout the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s. His deft arrangements and melodic ingenuity accompanied some of Ethiopia’s greatest vocal talents, including Muluken Melesse, Mahamud Ahmed, Hamelimal Abate and Neway Debebe, weaving traditional pentatonic scales with jazz harmony and funk‑inflected grooves.
In 2023, the Ethiopian label Muzikawi reissued Yifru’s self‑titled instrumental album—recorded in 1978 and recently remastered—bringing his bold, syncretic vision to a new generation of listeners worldwide.
Few collaborations capture the golden spirit of Ethio‑jazz like Dawit Yifru and Girma Beyene. Together, they unite decades of Ethiopian musical mastery in a performance that is both historically rich and vibrantly contemporary.
Girma Beyene, a masterful arranger, pianist, and composer, rose to prominence in the 1960s and ’70s, crafting seminal arrangements for Ethiopia’s leading vocalists. His work—celebrated globally through the Éthiopiques series—fuses Ethiopian melodic traditions with jazz sophistication, infusing every note with lyricism and elegance. Their collaboration brings Beyene’s evocative piano and arrangement genius together with Yifru’s dynamic keyboard artistry, producing a soundscape that bridges Ethiopia’s musical heritage with the pulse of modern jazz.
Why see them live?
Experience a rare meeting of masters as history, rhythm, and improvisation converge—an electrifying, soulful journey through the heart of Ethio‑jazz.
In April 2023, Dawit’s self-titled vinyl was released on the Ethiopian label Muzikawi, and its first pressing quickly sold out. Get ready for Ethiopian music at its finest!
Selam Seyoum
(Selamino)
(Ethiopia)
At the heart of Ethiopia’s iconic Ibex Band are guitarist Selam Seyoum “Selamino” Woldemariam and bassist Giovani Rico, two masters whose synergy helped define the golden era of Ethiopian music. From the bustling clubs of Addis Ababa in the 1970s to international stages today, their music fuses traditional Ethiopian melodies with jazz improvisation, funk grooves, and cinematic flair — a sound both timeless and electrifying.
Selamino’s intricate guitar lines, rich in pentatonic melodies and fluid jazz harmonies, complement Rico’s deep, hypnotic bass grooves, creating a conversation between strings and rhythm that has anchored some of Ethiopia’s most celebrated recordings. Together, they contributed to landmark albums and live performances, backing legends like Mahmoud Ahmed and Aster Aweke, and shaping the Ibex Band’s signature sound — a seamless blend of pulse-driven funk, soulful improvisation, and ethereal harmonies.
Even decades on, their performances pulse with life: Selamino’s melodic storytelling and Rico’s rhythmic foundation invite audiences into a vibrant, swinging world where Ethio-Jazz comes alive.
Why see them live?
Because witnessing Selamino and Rico together is to experience the heartbeat of Ethio-Jazz — a masterclass in groove, melody, and cultural storytelling that leaves every listener dancing, mesmerized, and inspired.
Jorga Mesfin
(Ethiopia)
Ethiopia’s current torchbearer of Ethio‑Jazz, Jorga Mesfin is a saxophonist and composer whose music bridges ancient Ethiopian sonic traditions with the expansive spirit of modern jazz. A self-taught musician who began performing professionally at just 17, Mesfin has carved out a distinctive voice that resonates deeply both at home and abroad — melding modal Ethiopian scales, soulful improvisation, and rhythmic sophistication that reflects the genre’s past while propelling it forward. A protégé of the legendary Mulatu Astatke, Mesfin has collaborated with luminaries across the global music spectrum — from Ethiopian icons like Mahmoud Ahmed and Aster Aweke to jazz innovators such as Vijay Iyer, Kirk Whalum, and Japanese pianist Takana Miyamoto.
Mesfin’s journey includes a residency at Mulatu Astatke’s legendary African Jazz Village in Addis Ababa, founding the Ethio-jazz ensemble Wudasse, and composing the acclaimed score for Haile Gerima’s film Teza, which earned Best Music awards at both the Carthage and Dubai International Film Festivals. In 2024, he released his much-anticipated debut album, The Kindest One, a richly textured exploration of spiritual jazz and Ethiopian musical heritage.
Why see him live?
Mesfin’s performances are immersive journeys — where expressive saxophone, hypnotic grooves, and cultural resonance converge into an unforgettable live experience that speaks to both seasoned jazz lovers and newcomers to the genre.
Tilaye Gebre with Dahlak Band
(Mozambique)
Ethiopia’s saxophone maestro Tilaye Gebre returns to Addis Ababa for a long-awaited homecoming at the Addis Jazz Festival. After decades living and performing in the United States, this will be his first performance in the city in over ten years—a historic moment for fans old and new. Adding to the occasion, Tilaye will also celebrate the release of his new album with Muzikawi, making this festival appearance doubly special.
From his early training at the Haile Selassie First Theatre Music School to electrifying hotel stages across Addis Ababa, Tilaye shaped a sound that fuses Ethiopia’s complex rhythms with jazz, soul, funk, and R&B. A founding member of the Equators and later the Dahlak Band, he arranged seminal recordings including Muluken Melesse with the Dahlak Band, and brought Ethiopia’s unique grooves to international stages like Carnegie Hall, Millennium Park, and Berklee College of Music, collaborating with legends such as Tilahun Gessesse, Mahmoud Ahmed, and Aster Aweke.
Why see them live? Witness a true Ethio-Jazz icon returning home—Tilaye’s saxophone, now decades in the making, will fill the stage with rhythm, soul, and history, alongside the premiere of his much-anticipated new album.
Stephanie Lottermoser &
Samuel Yirga
(Sweden)
Stephanie is German saxophonist, vocalist and composer Stephanie Lottermoser has forged a singular voice in contemporary jazz, blending soulful melody with groove‑driven improvisation and emotional clarity.
German saxophonist, vocalist and composer Stephanie Lottermoser has forged a singular voice in contemporary jazz, blending soulful melody with groove‑driven improvisation and emotional clarity. Since her early discovery of jazz at 14, she’s charted a vibrant musical journey — from studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München to international stages from the EFG London Jazz Festival to festival circuits across Mexico, Ghana, and beyond. Her albums, including Paris Songbook, This Time (which climbed to No. 2 in the German Jazz Charts), and her latest IN‑DEPENDENCE, showcase a deft synthesis of jazz, soul, pop and funk, marked by lyrical sax lines and a beguiling vocal presence that transcends genre boundaries. Lottermoser’s musical leadership extends into mentorship and cultural ambassadorship, where she fosters creative exchange and community through performance, education and storytelling.
