Ethiopian jazz guitarist Girum Gizaw to release debut album ‘Kelem’

Kelem (Colour) is a jazz album tinged with Ethiopian folk melodies, and Western blues noodling.

Girum, now aged 34, has been at the centre of Addis Ababa’s jazz guitar scene for the past decade, performing around the city with Blue Note and the Meleket band, building a loyal following in the process. His improvisational skills have won him wide acclaim. While live performance is where he shines the most, his new album showcases the tone, phrasing and melodic control that have made him one of the most successful guitarists in the city. The album contains eleven tracks, including ‘Yager Lidge Wegene’, ‘Ambassel’, ‘Rahwa’, ‘Ere Mela Mela’, ‘One Drop’ and ‘Take Five’.

Girum describes the musical style of his debut release as “experimental jazz with a country vibe”. His music contains uncomplicated chords, memorable melodies and a variety of moods that will appeal to a general audience. The album is full of sensitive ensemble playing, with spontaneous humming from the ethnic groups of southern regions of Ethiopia.

Girum has collaborated with various artists on his debut album. Songs such as 'Ambassel' and 'Tizta' feature a group of artists including Abiy Woldemarim on keyboard, Dr. Jahnovan on saxophone, Mussie Mekonen on drums and percussion and Habtamu Negash on bass. Three tracks feature the vocal accompaniment of legendary singer Alemayehu Fanta, as well as talented young vocalist Sinshaw Legesse.

Though based in Addis Ababa, Girum grew up at an orphanage in Assela in central Ethiopia. “Inspired by the skills of my cousin and elder brother, I sung in the church choir for six years but at the age of 12 I had already started exploring the guitar while a student at the Catholic Mission school in Assela,” he says.

After graduating from high school, Girum joined the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus School of Jazz Music (EECMY) in Addis Ababa for three and half years, where his love for music became stronger. Girum was particularly impressed by his guitar teacher Markku Keski-Mäenpää from Finland, who taught him for two years and showed him various dynamic finger-style techniques. The young guitarist played with five different bands before graduating from the school, practicing regularly late into the night, even after gigs.

Around 2009, Girum struck up a friendship with the father of Ethio-jazz. Mulatu Astatke, who has over the years been giving him valuable help and advice. Girum says his friendship with Mulatu has been quite encouraging and at times Mulatu joins him on stage.

These days Girum and his band performs every Saturday at the African Jazz Village in the basement of the Ghion Hotel in Addis. His Meleket band is quickly earning a reputation as one the best in town, with its cool sounds and sophisticated arrangements appealing to discerning jazz lovers. The artist says once launched, the new album will be available for sale online.

For more information about Girum’s debut album visit his website.