Mulatu Astatke

Known as the father of "Ethio-jazz," Ethiopian musician and arranger Mulatu Astatke made extensive contributions to jazz and world music through successfully combining jazz, Latin and Ethiopian traditional music. With a career that began in the 1950s, Astatke's creative peak was reached in the 1970's when his experimental combinations of sound and instrumentation amassed international recognition and acclaim. Despite becoming largely forgotten in the 1980s, Astatke's music was rediscovered a decade later in the 90s, effectively ensuring his place as one of world music's most influential musicians.