Ethiopian Music: Inverting the Universal vs Particular Dichotomy

About Tewodros Aklilu

Born in 1961, Tewodros is a renowned musician, researcher, and educator with a diverse and impressive career spanning several decades and continents. Raised in Ethiopia, Tewodros began his musical journey early, participating in a Cultural Troupe as a singer and dancer in fourth grade. His classical piano training with Ato Teferra Mekonnen further fueled his passion for music, leading him to explore various global musical traditions.

After completing his early education at St. Joseph School in Ethiopia and Walter Johnson High School in Maryland, Tewodros pursued undergraduate studies at George Washington University and continued with a coding course at the Computer Learning Center in Springfield, VA. He attended Michigan State University in 1992, where he further honed his musical and research skills.

Tewodros’s research interests are vast and include global pentatonic music, the history of global music, and specific studies of Ethiopian scales, Asian music traditions, European classical music, and American genres. His exploration spans from pre-Neolithic polyphony to modern genres such as jazz, hip hop, and electronic music.

A prolific performer and educator, Tewodros has contributed to various ensembles and bands, including the Gasha Band, Admas Band, and Magic Carpet Band, with performances across the globe. His discography includes notable works such as "Sons of Ethiopia," "In Flight," and "Broken Compass."

In addition to performing, Tewodros teaches aesthetics and music at Lebawi International Academy in Addis Abeba, where he has lived since 2010 with his wife and two daughters. His active curiosity extends to psychology, sustainable development, global social justice, and emerging technologies. Currently, he is working on an original book on African music, tentatively titled "ምዑዝ ቃል (MUSI-KAL)".

Tewodros spends his summers in Maryland with his elderly parents, balancing his global musical engagements with cherished family time.

About Munit Mesfin

Munit Mesfin is an Ethiopian singer and songwriter best known for working in a duo with German vocalist and guitarist Jӧrg Pfeil. Munit sings in her mother tongue Amharic and English, with inspiration from traditional Ethiopian songs. Some of her music includes vocalization without words. Mesfin has a focus on social issues and female empowerment.

While living in Washington, D.C. after college, Munit was a backup singer for Ethiopian-American soul singer Wayna.  She worked with many other Ethiopian musicians, including her brother, Jorga Mesfin, an Ethio-jazz saxophonist. After living abroad for almost 20 years, Munit returned to Ethiopia in 2007 during the celebration of the Ethiopian Millenium, where she met her frequent collaborator, Jӧrg Pfeil.

Since then, the pair have released two albums as Munit and Jӧrg: Just the two of us: Live at the coffee house, in 2008, and ፪ ። 2, released in March 2013.

Munit Mesfin is married and has three children.