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ጌታቸው መኩሪያ (1935 - 2016) A lifelong musical history in photos, from the Municipality Band to The Ex. ሞዓ አንበሳ፡ ማስታወሻና ቅርስ terp B-28/EX 146-B ISBN: 978-90-826066-0-7 Ⓟ&Ⓒ Terp Records/The Ex 2016. All rights reserved. [email protected] www.theex.nl u THE STORY THE EX AND GETATCHEW MEKURIA. (2004-2014) We were intrigued by Getatchew’s music, which we had discovered on an old cassette, back in 1996. Recordings from 1972 (Philips vinyl), later released as Ethiopiques 14 “The Negus of Ethiopian Sax”. A big sound and a huge vibrato in a minimal setting. A saxophone sound where you recognise Getatchew in a second! Unique. We had our 25th year anniversary party in November 2004 and invited a wide variety of musical friends for a two day festival at the Paradiso, in Amsterdam. Our big dream was to invite Getatchew and have him play with the ICP, the Instant Composers Pool, for many decades Holland’s most amazing free-impro- vising jazz orchestra, based around Misha Mengelberg and Han Bennink. But, of course, we realised that Getatchew came from quite another world, that he hadn’t played concerts for a long time and, in his seventies, was maybe getting on a bit. We took the risk, went to Addis to find him, and explained our story. He agreed to do it right away! What followed was a whirlwind. It was his first time travelling to Europe. When he arrived, he was so full of energy, that he didn’t go to bed for two nights. He treated the ICP as if they were his own band and enjoyed immensely the improvising and the freedom. And when he put on his lion’s mane, the ‘gofere’, he blasted everyone off stage, playing his saxo- phone version of an Ethiopian war-chant, the Shellele. He had already played this piece in the 1950’s, and for some it is considered to be a keystone to free improvised jazz. Pre-Albert Ayler or John Coltrane. A scene and style of music Getatchew and the ICP played at the Paradiso, the Bozar in Brussels and later Getatchew knew nothing about. at the Moers Jazz Festival. They were legendary concerts. On the following “25 year Ex Convoy Tour” around France, he also played a few songs with The Ex. The energy and spirit that grew from this collaboration, reminded him of highlights from his own career, such as his association with the Police Band, and with singer Ayalew Mesfin, back in the 1960’s. Wonderful music every night and amazing to see Getatchew so happy and inspired. Getatchew then said he wanted to play and make his next CD with The Ex! Ethiopian music at full blast. He chose 10 songs, which he played to us in our room at the Baro Hotel in Addis. From the solo saxophone lines he gave us, we made our own arrangements and added some of our lyrics. Some songs we knew, others were totally new to us. We invited some great jazz horn players we had met through the years; trombonist Joost Buis (NL); clarinetplayer Xavier Charles (F) and alto-player Brodie West (CAN). They played with great spirit between the ‘Ethio-riffs’ and the free improvising. When we all started playing together it never felt like a compromise. In general we are not big fans of ‘fusion’, but this music really EF grew from both sides. It almost spoke for itself and somehow came from a 6 very deep source. The Ex remained The Ex and Getatchew could let his lines and solos fully rip! Sparks flew from all sides! A miracle. Because, of course we realized again our apparent musical, social and cultural differences. We recorded the Moa Anbessa CD/LP in 2006 and things really took off. In some ten years we played more than a hundred concerts, in 15 countries. Jazz-, world music- and rock festivals to venues of all sizes, all over the world. Appearances at the Lincoln Centre ‘Out of Doors’ in New York, on the French 8 ‘o clock news (with 8 million viewers!), at the Rio Loco Festival in Toulouse, playing to 20.000 people (and broadcasted on TV in Ethiopia). Large events. But also when playing on small stages we’ve always had musical adventures and a great response. Getatchew was born on March 14, 1935 in the countryside in Northern Shoa, Ethiopia and arrived with his father, a honeymerchant, in Addis. He soon became hooked on music, started playing the washint, the traditional flute. Soon joined the Municipality Band at the age of 13 and began to play the clari- net and saxophone. Later, he joined the National Theatre Orchestra, the Police Orchestra, Speed Band and many more. Playing with stars like Mahmoud Ahmed, Tilahoun Gessesse, Hirut Bekele, Ayalew Mesfin and many others. Our connection with Ethopian musicians also became stronger. We initiated six music-projects in Addis, including two ‘Saxophone’ projects. With repair- man Friso Heidinga and renowned players like Mats Gustafsson (S), Ab Baars BL 7 (NL) and Ken Vandermark (USA), who later joined our hornsection. Getatchew always came to the concerts to join in and played at his best. He would always invite us all to his home for incredible, copious, unfinishable meals. And Tej’, the honeywine! We have brought many great Ethiopian musicians over to Europe, like Moham- med Jimmy, Chalachew Ashenafi, Mesele Asmamaw and the Fendika Group. The fabulous dancer Melaku Belay, who runs the Fendika Azmaribet (traditional nightclub), became a strong element in The Ex & Getatchew crew. When in Holland he always stayed at our house, de Witte Villa, and we tried to reciprocate his generous hospitality, which proved to be impossible! Once we invited his wife Ayaletch too; her first time out of Ethiopia. We went on a canal cruise boat in Amsterdam. Soon Getatchew took over the steering wheel and sailed on the ‘IJ’-lake as if he was an experienced captain. We got to know eachother really well. He was quite a character. Incredibly diverse and full-on in every way! Getatchew did not travel around the world; the world travelled around Getatchew. Very hospitable, polite, humble, friendly, social and super humorous. But sometimes he was also a proud nobleman, a king, a mercato-merchant, a fighter. In the summer of 2012, whilst in Europe again to play several festivals, Getatchew announced, quite unexpectedly, his desire to make another record- ing with us. At the tender age of 77, he felt it would probably be his final one. EF 8 NH For us, a great responsability. He recorded about 12 melodies in the Villa. Deep, old, classic melodies. Some completely mysterious to us. He wanted to record in december, which we did. The process wasn’t always easy. But with the combination of inspired overdubs, a session in Addis, meticulous mixing and fixing, some new guest musicians, we completed the album. ‘Y’Anbessaw Tezeta’: ‘Longing for the lion’. The result was very different from the previous release; instrumental, more sentitive and fragile; deeper. But also exciting dance rhythms, up-tempo war-chants, amazing hornriffs and great soloing. We decided to make it a benefit CD/LP for Getatchew. Everyone contributed for free. After almost 65 years of playing music, we thought this amazing person deserves some kind of pension! We wanted this release to be something special. We added an extra LP, with some historical recordings, including Getatchew and the ICP, Haile Selassie 1 Theatre Orchestra and a live performance with The Ex in Montreal. Plus a 48- page magazine, with photos, interview and stories. Quite suddenly his health deteriorated very fast. Because of the diabetes, his legs became swollen and at a certain point he was no longer able to walk. It became impossible to invite him to Europe anymore. We decided to organise a ‘Celebration of Getatchew Mekuria’ concert in Addis Abeba. With the help of many people in Addis we were able to arrange it at the National Theatre. And it sold out. 1500 people came. Standing ovation. Amazing! Getatchew sat down for the whole concert , but played as strong as ever. A few days later we played 9 EF the Jazzamba in the Taitu Hotel and our final concert with Getachew was in the Alliance Francaise. It turned out to be the last ever. The situation became really sad. We visited Addis in Januari 2016 and he was in a health crisis. He had been sitting upright in his chair all day and all night for more than half a year. His legs were even worse. Nobody took care of him. In a final effort we bought a big adjustable chair in Holland and Emma brought it over in the beginning of March. Getat- chew was happy and could finally sleep properly. But sadly it was too late. After a few weeks his legs began to develop quite serious infections. He was brought to the Federal Police Hospital. He passed away on April 4, 2016. We will miss him. His whole life was music. With his unique sound, approach and character, he leaves behind an eternal inspiration. Enjoy the photos of this incredible adventure! -Terrie. The Ex. 10 GETATCHEW MEKURIA (2006): “My family were peasants. My father was also a merchant. He was engaged in caravan trade. In the older days, people traded goods like sugar, honey and salt. Caravan traders came here to Addis Ababa from far away places. My uncle was here in Addis Ababa. Therefore, my father stayed with his brother here and continued as a honey merchant.

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