Thu June 7 at the Comedy Theatre
Piano prodigy Samuel Yirga is one of the brightest talents to emerge on the Ethiojazz scene in the last decade. Auditioning for Addis Ababa’s Yared School of Music at the age of 16 by tapping out rhythms on the top of the piano with a coin, Yirga’s innate talent was immediately apparent.
His ability to merge traditional Ethiopian rhythms, deeply-felt classical piano undertones and homages to the likes of Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock, has won him a cult following in Addis. Yirga is now taking his unique voice to the world stage, with recent appearances at WOMAD and London’s Southbank Centre.
In this debut Australian performance Yirga is joined by leading musicians of the rising Ethiopian generation, alternating between deeply impassioned solo piano and infectiously engaging ensemble playing.
Opening Act: Black Jesus Experience (AUS)
