Unforgettable performance by the Debo/Fendika collective on Thursday, August 11th in New York at the 41st annual Lincoln center summer music festival — one of the longest-running, free, outdoor festivals in the United States. (Photo by Tsedey Aragie)
Tadias Magazine
By Tigist Selam
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
New York (Tadias) – The following is our video coverage of the 2011 Lincoln Center Out of Doors concert at the Damrosch Park Bandshell in New York, which also featured Debo band and special guest Fendika. We had the opportunity to interview the band members, as well as the Director of Public Programming for Lincoln Center. The event was attended by thousands of people. It was described by The New York Times as “generous, warm, high-spirited real entertainment for a big audience. It was a delight to watch them.” The Debo/Fendika collective became only the second Ethiopian music ensemble to perform at the Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors event, following in the footsteps of Ethiopia’s leading musicians Mahmoud Ahmed, Alemayehu Eshete, and legendary saxophonist Getachew Mekuria, who made a historic appearance here in 2008.
Watch:
They were truly extraordinary performers. I had the best time.
Stay tuned for a separate Amharic interview taped on the same day at the same location with Fendika leader Melaku Belay which will be posted here at a later date as part of our upcoming special profile of the artist.
I am speechless!
The best thing i have seen in years! thank you tadias crew! looking forward to your talk with the ambasador of ethiopian traditional dance the incredible melaku belay!
It was amazing! Tons of culture.
Debo (with Fendika) is my fav band in North America. I am excited they are coming to Minneapolis in October this year – I have been waiting for them to come to the Midwest past Chicago for the past couple of years. Thanks Tsedey for the nice video. It is fun to see a glimpse of the passion and energy of Melaku and well, and everyone else as well.
Aleze Jazz in Addis and Debo Band in North America, there were times I thought I am pretty old school when it comes to ethiopian music – that I can’t listen any thing but the ethiopiques – but yeah, things are coming up. Viva Debo! Viva Fendika! Viva Aleze Jazz in Addis Ababa!