Mulatu Astatke
- Type: Legacy Bandleader
- Country: Ethiopia
- Born: December 19, 1943 in Jimma, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
- Active: 1963 - present
Biography
Mulatu Astatke (born 19 December 1943) is an Ethiopian musician and arranger widely regarded as the father of Ethio-jazz. Born in Jimma, he received formal musical training in London, New York City, and Boston, where he developed a fusion of jazz and Latin music with traditional Ethiopian sounds. As a bandleader, Mulatu performed on the vibraphone and conga drums—both of which he introduced to Ethiopian popular music—as well as other percussion instruments, keyboards, and organs.
Genres
Mulatu Astatke Discography
- Mulatu of Ethiopia (1972) - Album - rated 3.93/5
- Éthiopiques 4: Ethio jazz & musique instrumentale 1969-1974 (1998) - Compilation - rated 4.55/5
- Mulatu Steps Ahead (2010) - Album - rated 3.72/5
- Mulatu Plays Mulatu (2025) - Album