Mulato Astakte

Mulatu Astatke (Amharic: ሙላቱ አስታጥቄ; born 19 December 1943, Jimma, Ethiopia) is a pioneering Ethiopian musician and arranger widely regarded as the father of "Ethio-jazz." Trained in London, New York City, and Boston, he fused jazz and Latin music with traditional Ethiopian sounds, creating a distinct and influential style.

A multi-instrumentalist, Mulatu introduced the vibraphone and conga drums into Ethiopian popular music, while also mastering percussion, keyboards, and organs. Leading his own band, he focused primarily on instrumental music, contributing to the three known instrumental albums released during Ethiopia’s Golden Age of Music in the 1970s, solidifying his legacy as a transformative figure in Ethiopian and world music.