Ras Deshen

Ras Deshen: Ras Deshen: From Ethiopian Music to Contemporary Jazz

by Terrell Kent Holmes
April 13, 2006

Given the considerable number of African Jews living in Ethiopia, it makes perfect cultural sense for Israeli pianist Yitzhak Yedid to team up with Ethiopian sax man and vocalist Abatte Barihun to explore the music of Ethiopia on Ras Deshen, a work which mines the common musical ground shared by their countries. Yedid and Abatte performed selections from the disc recently at a reception at Alice Tully Hall and didn't let the crowd's lack of attentiveness diminish the passion of ...