Some call themselves Duke (Ellington) or King (Tubby) or Pres (Lester Young). The almost 70-year-old Mulatu Astatke is simply called Mulatu Astatke but does get referred to as the father of Ethiopian jazz. Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch used his music in the film 'Broken Flowers' and Nas & Damian Marley used the very recognizable sample of his song 'Yegelle Tezeta' from the '70's and Nicolaas Jaar skilfully remixed this track with his own slowness.

You could call his music a unique blend of pop, modern jazz, traditional Ethiopian music, Latin rhythms, Caribbean reggae and – we're almost there - uplifting Afro-funk. Astatke is a pianist, organist, vibraphonist, percussionist as well as composer and arranger and was, at the time, the first African student to graduate from the famous Berklee College of Music. He's already worked with the likes of Duke Ellington, one of America's greatest composers and a jazz-legend.

Lastly, may we also quote Jules Deelder from his latest heavenly poem 'Jazz'? "Jazz dances. Warms. Elevates. Caresses. Seduces. Jazz cheers. Jazz feels. Jazz grows. Jazz blossoms. Jazz glows. Jazz fulfills. Enchants. Impassions. Jazz breaths. Sweats. Jazz whispers. Yells. Exposes. Cuts. Jazz glides." Entirely applicable to Mulatu Astatke, if you ask us.