Ethiopia: Jorga Mesfin to drop debut album The Kindest One in May

Released on Ethiopian record label Muzikawi, Mesfin’s album has been described as “a long foray into Ethio-jazz … a courageous syncretism fusing spiritual experimentation with bits of contemporary Ethiopian music and Ethiopian jazz elements preceding it.” It will be available on vinyl, with two singles released for streaming on Bandcamp to date.

A protégé of Ethiopian jazz great Mulatu Astatke, Mesfin is widely regarded as one of the most talented contemporary musicians in Ethiopia.

Born in 1977, he grew up in a house filled with jazz records. Immersed in the melodies of John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Kassa Tessema and Jimmy Smith, his early musical influences laid the foundation for a profound connection with Ethio-jazz.

He started his professional career at the age of 17 and has since collaborated with numerous artists, including The Last Poets, Vijay Iyer, Wayna Wondwossen, Kirk Whalum, Takana Miyamoto, Aster Aweke, Mahmoud Ahmed and Mulatu Astatke.

He’s the founder of Ethio-jazz group Wudasse and composed music for the well-known Ethiopian film Teza (2008). His work on the film earned him the Best Music Award at the 22nd Carthage Film Festival and the Best Composition Award at the fifth Dubai International Film Festival. He was also a resident at Mulatu Astatke’s African Jazz Village in Addis Ababa.

Pre-order The Kindest One here.