Setegn Atanaw

Setegn Atanaw started his professional career in 1995 with the Gish Abaye musical group in Bahir Dar, Gojam (a northern Ethiopian province). In 1990, he moved to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, and joined the National Theater Cultural Center.

Over the years Setegn has become known as one of the best Masinko players in Ethiopia. The Masinko is a one-stringed fiddle consisting of diamond-shaped wooden sound box and string made from strands of horsetail.

His first solo album was called 'Gonder'. Prior to that he had worked on many other artists’ recordings while in Ethiopia, most notably the renowned Ethiopian arranger Mulatu Astatke. Setegn has also written compositions for many Ethiopian artists. While in Ethiopia, Setegn was selected to represent Ethiopia in an international cultural concert tour, bringing the music of his homeland to such countries as Korea, Japan, Russia, Canada and the United States.

In 1993, Setegn emigrated to the United States and joined the well-known traditional group the Nile Ethiopian Ensemble in Washington, D.C. With this exciting musical group, he has performed in places like the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian festival, Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Lincoln Center, Harvard University and many more.

Setegn currently resides in Washington, D.C. area.