Ethio Stars Band

BIO

Formed in 1981 by members of two bands -- Dahlek and The Shabelle Band -- the Ethios Stars continue to play their infectious dance music in the hotel clubs of their homeland. Led by saxophone player Shimeles Beyerie, The Ethio Stars have recorded prolifically with their cassettes selling well in Ethiopian music stores.

According to Beyerie, When they compose and play a new song, they sell it to a music store. Then, the store distributes it to the whole country. The music of the Ethio Stars is based on four pentatonic scales -- tizita, anchi-hoye, ambasel and bari -- and usually set to a waltz-time rhythm known as chikchika, although a much faster rhythm is occasionally used.

The Ethio Stars' best known album, 'Amhartic Hit', was split with a more-modern group, The Tukul Band.