Extra Golden
Mahmoud Ahmed and Alemayehu Eshete with
The Either/Orchestra
G?tatch?w M?kurya with The Ex

Wednesday, August 20, 2008 6:00 PM
Damrosch Park Bandshell

Lincoln Center Out of Doors - free, no tickets required


Extra Golden

"Extra Golden have created something that is at once distinctly Kenyan and distinctly American, but the music all blends together into one pulsing mass?held together by exuberant melodies." ? The Fader

Kenyan and American cooperative Extra Golden integrates Kenyan benga music and American rock in a union that represents the vanguard of both styles and transcends the very notion of authenticity. While the defining element of Extra Golden may be the cross-cultural cooperation of its members, drawn from Kenya?s Bilongo Golden Stars and Orchestra Extra Solar Africa and Washington DC?s Golden, styles like rock and benga are not quite as disparate as some may believe. Both arose from people cranking up electric guitars and singing melodic songs over propulsive rhythms with exuberance that is designed to make an audience move.

http://afropop.org/radio/radio_progra ... ica%20in%20America%202008

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18027063

Mahmoud Ahmed and Al?may?hu Esh?t? with The Either/Orchestra (NY debut)

"[The Mahmoud Ahmed - Either/Orchestra collaboration creates] a true fusion of the two forms, without any of the world music clich?s you might expect! Either/Orchestra really impress us with their work here ? getting all the sounds and styles just right, and creating a new take on the music that?s completely respectful, but which also takes it to some great new places as well." ? Dustygroove.com

One of the most beloved singers of Ethiopia?s ?golden era? of the late 60s and early 70s, Mahmoud Ahmed?s brassy, electric urban pop is swinging and hypnotic, heart-rending and funky.

A true Ethiopian legend, Al?may?hu Esh?t? is often described as the ?Ethiopian James Brown,? or ?Abyssinian Elvis,? thanks to his wild and electrifying stage performances.

The ten-piece Either/Orchestra, founded in 1985 by saxophonist/composer Russ Gershon, has earned a reputation for its fearless repertoire, top-shelf ensemble play, highly talented soloists and boundless desire to connect with audiences. In 2004 the E/O became the first US big band to perform in Ethiopia since Duke Ellington?s in 1973. Their Ethiopiques: Live in Addis concert and CD began a series of collaborations with the top names in Ethiopian music, reviving and updating the classic Ethiopian groove of the 60s and 70s, most recently featured on a new DVD of a collaboration with Mahmoud Ahmed.

G?tatch?w M?kurya with The Ex (NY debut)

?Fascinating for the remarkably welcome union of seemingly disparate musical styles ? but for the snapshot of intuitive interplay! The pairing might appear more oddball on paper than it really is. We?re most familiar with M?kurya?s incredible style from Volume 14 of the Ethiopiques series ? and in that early 70s work he finds a killer, otherwordly groove ? and for all of the searing, caterwauling noise they make, The Ex have a hugely percussive and hypnotic sound overall. It works great together.? ? Dustygroove.com

G?tatch?w M?kurya, the King of Ethiopian saxophone, is a real giant, both physically and musically. Seventy three years old, but still in full voice, with his own powerfully distinctive style of playing, he is the inventor of a musical style called the Shellele, which originates from a heroic war chant, translated to the saxophone.

The Ex, Holland?s legendary avant-improv-world-punkband, has been crossing borders for more than 28 years. Discordant, highly rhythmic guitars and the rolling, almost African drumming style give The Ex?s music its special character. After touring Ethiopia twice, in 2004 The Ex celebrated their 25th musical anniversary and invited G?tatch?w to join them in the Netherlands. The resultant pairing, featured on their new DVD, is both thrilling and unique: G?tatch?w?s melodies and solos mesh with The Ex?s rhythm, noise and vocals, supported by a guest horn section, like they were made for each other.

Presented in collaboration with WFMU and Ethiopiques/EthioSonic.

http://www.wfmu.org/

http://www.budamusique.com/index.php/en

http://www.ethiopiques.info/

WFMU has now hit the 50 year mark as the nation's most celebrated independent, freeform radio station. The Jersey City-based organization (lauded by everyone from Lou Reed to Matt Groening) broadcasts over New York City, Metro New Jersey, the Catskills, Hudson Valley, and worldwide at www.wfmu.org ,and is marking the occasion with a year-long series of free concerts.