(Headline image: Qwanqwa – Photo Credit James Barry Knox.)
Renowned Ethiopian ensemble Qwanqwa is set to embark on their North American tour this spring, following their extensive three-month debut tour in 2022. The upcoming tour, spanning nine weeks from March to May, will cover 39 cities across both coasts and beyond, with additional dates to be announced (refer to the full tour lineup below).
Comprising five members, Qwanqwa is an improvisatory ensemble based in Addis Ababa, devoted to advancing Ethiopia’s distinctive string traditions. The ensemble brings together highly skilled musicians, providing a platform to innovate and challenge conventions within the country’s traditionally conservative musical landscape. Qwanqwa presents a diverse range of Ethiopian traditional instruments, featuring Endris Hassen on mesenko (one-string fiddle), Bubu Teklemariam on bass krar (Ethiopian lyre), Selamnesh Zemene on vocals, Misale Legesse on kebero (goat skin drum), and Kaethe Hostetter on 5-string electric violin. Together, they have crafted a fresh musical identity rooted in centuries-old traditions while embracing experimentation and forward-looking perspectives.
With three critically acclaimed albums under their belt — Volume One (2014), Volume Two (2015), and Volume Three (2020) — Qwanqwa has captivated audiences on two major European tours, delivering stellar performances at prestigious events like the Roskilde and WOMEX festivals in 2016 and 2017.
Members of Qwanqwa have collaborated with notable figures in Ethiopian music and beyond, including Getachew Mekuria, Mahmoud Ahmed, Mulatu Astatke, The EX, Thurston Moore, Fred Frith, Butch Morris, Tomeika Reid, and others.
Tour Dates
3/31 – Providence World Music Fest, Providence, RI
4/3 – Roulette, Brooklyn, NY (Hear In Now collaboration)
4/5 – The Falcon, Marlborough, NY
4/6 – The Blue Room/City Space, Easthampton, MA
4/7 – Space Gallery, Portland, ME
4/8 – Tinder Hearth, Brooksville, ME
4/9 – The Half Moon, Hudson, NY
4/10 – Midway Café, Boston, MA
4/11 – Creative Alliance, Baltimore, MD
4/12 – Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville, VA
4/13 – Solar Myth, Philadelphia, PA
4/14 – Washington DC: TBA
4/15 – Webster’s Bookstore Cafe, State College, PA
4/16 – Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
4/17 – Bottlerocket Social Hall, Pittsburgh, PA
4/18 – Do 317, Indianapolis, IA
4/19 – Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, MN
4/20 – Bootleg Hill Honey Meads, Davenport, IA
4/21 – Crossroads, Bishop Hill, IL
4/24 – Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL
4/25 – McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA
4/26 – Spellcaster Lodge, New Orleans, LA
4/27 – 4/28 – Festival International de Louisiane, Lafayette, LA
4/30 -5/4 – Worlds of Music, Buffalo, Wyoming
5/8 – The Shakedown, Bellingham, WA
5/9 – High Dive, Seattle, WA
5/10 – LaurelThirst Public House, Portland, OR
5/11 – Turn! Turn! Turn!, Portland, OR
5/12 – WOW Hall, Eugene, OR
5/13 – Miniplex, Arcata CA
5/15 – Zanzi, Oakland, CA
5/16 – Yerba Buena Gardens Fest, San Francisco, (Day)
5/16 – Kuumbwa Jazz, Santa Cruz, CA (Evening)
5/17 – Corazón, Topanga Canyon, CA
5/18 – Joshua Tree Music Fest, Joshua Tree, CA
5/19 – Zebulon, Los Angeles, CA
5/22 – Tijuana Jazz Club, Tijuana, Mexico
5/23 – Sahara West Library, Las Vegas, NV
5/24 – Winchester Cultural Center, Las Vegas, NV
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central