The Negarit Band was founded in 2012 by renowned drummer and musicologist, Teferi Assefa with the aim of making Ethiopian music better known to a large audience.
Teferi researched Ethiopian rhythms and melodies around the country, which he then incorporated into his compositions for the album ORIGINS. In the words of the group: “It is with immense pleasure that we announce that our brand-new CD by the Negarit Band is now available to order- and trust us, you won’t want to miss out on this musical journey”. You can purchase and download the CD from Amazon and Apple Music among other sources.
The Negarit Band plays an innovative mix of Ethiopian musical heritage wrapped in contemporary pop and jazz, both vocals and solos of wind instruments, guitar and keyboard, as well as the krar (Ethiopian harp) and the masenqo (a one-string bowed instrument). Compositions with a distinct Ethiopian flavour are mixed with pop and jazz in which Teferi (drummer and band leader) is assisted by musicians on keyboards, bass, saxophone, trumpet and guitar along with six guest musicians. You can hear The Negarit Band regularly at Fendika in Kazanchis. This unique style is what makes the Negarit Band music so special.
Teferi graduated from the Karol Szymanowski Music Academy in Katowice (Poland) and gave jazz concerts in Europe and America. Assefa also co-founded Wudasse, an Ethio jazz band, a group that was the first in Ethiopian history to release a live album.