There’s a tendency to regard the seventies as a golden age of Ethiopian music. The legendary musical outfit The Ibex Band, has played a central role in defining the sound of many of the greatest stars on the music scene of Ethiopia from the mid-seventies onwards–but their golden output has never really waned. At the heart of Ethiopia’s iconic Ibex Band are guitarist Selam Seyoum “Selamino” Woldemariam and bassist Giovani Rico, two masters whose synergy helped define the golden era of Ethiopian music. From the bustling clubs of Addis Ababa in the 1970s to international stages today, their timeless music fuses traditional Ethiopian melodies with jazz improvisation, funk grooves, and cinematic flair.
The whole Ibex Band, with Giovanni and Selam at the creative helm, are arguably the origo of the vibrant scene in the mid-seventies, and are foremost responsible for not only navigating the band through troubled times, but also modernizing the 6/8 chickchicka rhythm to a contemporary form. Together they influenced scores of musicians.
Even Giovanni’s Fender bass and Selamino’s Gibson guitar inspired younger musicians in their choice of instruments. Not only in choice of instruments but also in sound–even as the digital revolution hit Ethiopian music, a lot of popular music still took its cue from the masters from Ibex.
Selamino’s intricate guitar lines, rich in pentatonic melodies and fluid jazz harmonies, complement Rico’s deep, hypnotic bass grooves, creating a conversation between strings and
rhythm that anchored some of Ethiopia’s most celebrated recordings. Together, they contributed to landmark albums and live performances, backing Ethiopian legends and developing their signature sound — a seamless blend of pulse driven funk, soulful improvisation, and ethereal harmonies.
Decades on, their performances pulse with life inviting audiences into a vibrant, swinging world where Ethio-Jazz comes alive.
Sources: www.ibexband.bandcamp.com and www.addisjazzfestival.com/