Title: Getatchew Mekuria (1935-2016)
Description: This photobook is the result of what appears to be an unlikely collaboration between Dutch "underground" band The Ex and Ethiopian saxophone legend Getatchew Mekuria. The Ex fell in love with an old Getatchew cassette from 1972, and in 2004 they wanted to invited him for their 25th Anniversary Festival. They went to Addis to find him and when they met, Getatchew was up for it right away. He came to Amsterdam and it worked from the very start. Getatchew was so excited that he wanted to play more with The Ex and record together: "I want you to be my band!" His musical life was resurrected. The result was a fruitful 10-year collaboration with more than a 100 concerts worldwide, plenty of enthusiastic press and two beautiful CD/LPs. In 2014, because of diabetes, he developed serious problems with his legs and couldn't travel anymore. The Ex at that point decided to organise a "Celebration of Getatchew Mekuria" concert series in Ethiopia at the National Theatre in Addis Abeba. It sold out. 1500 people came and there was a standing ovation. A truely honourable farewell to a great musician. Soon after this, his health began to deteriorate quickly and Getatchew passed away on April 4, 2016 at the age of 81 after a musical career of more than 68 years.
Subjects: Pictorial works, Saxophonists, Biography, Jazz musicians
Places: Ethiopia
People: Gétatchèw Mèkurya