Alemayehu Eshete

Alemayehu Eshete was an Ethiopian Ethio-jazz singer who died on 2 September 2021. He began his career in the 1960s and sang primarily in Amharic. Eshete’s talent was recognised by Colonel Rètta Dèmèqè who invited the young singer to perform with Addis Ababa’s famous Police Orchestra. Eshete had his first hit ('Seul') in 1961 before moving on to found the orchestra Alèm-Girma Band with Girma Bèyènè.

Over the course of 15 years, Eshete released some 30 singles until the arrival of the communist Derg junta, which forced Eshete and many other artists into exile.

Alemayehu Eshete gained fame in Europe and the Americas with the release of Buda Musique’s Ethiopiques series of compilations on compact disc. Ethiopiques Volume 9 is devoted entirely to recordings of Eshete’s earlier music, and Volume 22 covers his career between 1972 and 1974. Other songs have also appeared on Volumes 3, 8, 10, and 13 or the series. In 2008 Eshete toured the United States with fellow Ethiopian singer Mahmoud Ahmed, backed by Boston’s 10-piece Either/Orchestra.