Orchestra Ethiopia

Orchestra Ethiopia was a loosely organized group of musicians who sought to preserve Ethiopia’s indigenous folk music through active performance and cultural outreach. Founded by famed Egyptian-born composer Halim El-Dabh, the ensemble released several albums in the ‘60s and 70s, toured the United States, and even performed on the ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Using traditional instruments including several different sorts of drums, as well as East African versions of lyres and flutes, Orchestra Ethiopia created driving, celebratory dance music that lyrically explored such wide-reaching themes as death, joy, nature, peace, and the cycle of life.