A transcendent form of communication
Dr Johnson discusses the adaptation of popular Western genres in the 1960s and 70s by Ethiopian musicians who melded them with their traditional scales and rhythms to create an original musical style named Ethio-Jazz. In the last 10 years this music has become a cult sensation, inspiring many bands and composers around the world to create their own versions.
“We talk about music as a universal language, but I think this is a surface-level observation. For me it’s more like a transcendent form of communication.”