Alemayehu Eshete’s biography, net worth, fact, career, awards and life story

Alemayehu Eshete (Amharic: ዓለማየሁ እሸቴ; French pronunciation: Alèmayèhu Eshèté; born 1941) is an Ethiopian Ethio-jazz singer. He has performed since the 1960s and primarily sings in Amharic. Alemayehu has been nicknamed “the Ethiopian Elvis”.

Career

Alemayehu’s talent was recognized by colonel Retta Demeqe, who invited the young singer to perform with Addis Ababa famous Police Orchestra. Alemayehu had his first hit “Seul” in 1961 before moving on to found the orchestra Alem-Girma Band with Girma Beyene . Over the course of 15 years, Alemayehu released some 30 singles until the arrival of the communist Derg junta, which forced Alemayehu and many other artists into exile.

Alemayehu Eshete has since gained fame in Europe and the Americas with the release of Buda Musique’s Ethiopiques series of compilations on compact disc. Ethiopiques Volume 9 is devoted entirely to recordings of Alemayehu’s earlier music, and Volume 22 covers his career between 1972 and 1974. Other songs have also appeared on Volumes 3, 8, 10, and 13 or the series. In 2008, Alemayehu toured the United States with fellow Ethiopian singer Mahmoud Ahmed, backed by Boston’s 10-piece Either/Orchestra.

Discography