Author Archives: ethiocali

Upcoming Performances

We are taking over HodgePodgeLA for the whole month of March celebrating the birthdays of Todd Simon, Tylana Renga & Alan Lightner! Many special guest musicians, djs & vocalists will be joining us.

Going down at Apothéke 1746 N Spring St., Los Angeles, 90012

NO COVER  8pm – ?  21+

@HodgePodgeLA #HodgePodgeLA @ApothekeLA #ApothekeSounds

RECAP: Ethio Cali w/ Beatmakers & DJ’s + Afro Funke/Levitt Pavillion

Our 2016 summer schedule is complete. We’ve had a lot of fun and wanted to share some photos taken by LA’s ever-amazing Farah Sosa .

A highlight was working with LA’s top beatmakers and turntablists for two exciting nights at our favorite venue: The Blue Whale. Ras G, Elusive, Bei Ru, Cut Chemist, The Gaslamp Killer, Jeremy Sole, Mark de Clive Lowe and Te’Amir contributed to the fun. The second night exploded with an impromptu jam with the legendary percussionist Munyungo Jackson (Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Sting) and Italy’s Tommaso Capellatto. See the photos here.

http://www.farahstop.com/2016/08/blue-whale-ethio-cali-beat-makers-ft.html?m=1

We rounded out the summer with an outdoor party at the beautiful Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena, CA put on by Afro Funke. There are some incredible pics here.

http://www.farahstop.com/2016/09/levitt-pasadena-afro-funke-ethio-cali.html?m=1

We have som exciting performances already lined up for 2017. Check our events page for more info. We love performing for you and cannot wait for the next time.

All our love ~ Todd Simon & Ethio Cali

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

 

We are excited to announce these upcoming performances:

Wednesday, May 18th – UCLA Community Programs Office Reception 5pm FREE & open to the public. More TBA

Saturday, June 25th – Tia Chuchas CELEBRATING WORDS FESTIVAL @ Pacoima City Hall 4:15pm – FREE

Thursday, July 21st – Mark de Clive-Lowe’s CHURCH vs. ETHIO CALI @ Grand Star (Chinatown, LA) w/ Radio Afrique DJ’s More TBA

 

*photo by Farah Sosa/FARAHSTOP

http://www.farahstop.com/2016/05/blue-whale-ethio-cali-presents-new.html

TEZETA w/ ETHIO CALI – Nov 2, 2014

On Sunday, November 2nd, Ethio Cali will play two sets of music inspired by the concept of Tezeta.

Tezeta, an Amharic word from Ethiopia, loosely translates to nostalgia or longing. Tezeta is also one of the popular musical scales found in Ethiopia. Typically, Tezeta is associated with the memory of love lost, or the longing one feels when living far from home or their place of birth. It triggers emotions similar to that of saudade in Portuguese music, duende in flamenco, or the blues in America.

We hope you’ll join us for this special night of Tezeta at the blue whale.
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featuring:

TODD SIMON – (trumpet, music director, arranging)
KAMASI WASHINGTON – (saxophone)
RANDAL FISHER – (saxophone)
PATRICK BAILEY (bass)
DAMON AARON – (guitar)
ALAN LIGHTNER – (steel pan / percussion)
STEVE HANEY – (percussion)
DEXTER STORY – (keys, guitar, arranging)
TE’AMIR YOHANNES SWEENEY – (drums, percussion)

special guests:

VARDAN OVSEPIAN – (piano)
ARTYOM MANUKYAN – (cello)
YARED TESHALE – (vocals)

+ Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony by AZLA VEGAN
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Sunday, November 2, 2014

$15 cover

Blue Whale
123 Astronaut E S Onizuka Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 620-0908

Ethio-Cali Residency At The Blue Whale Oct 5th

We’re excited to be back playing in one of our favorite venues in the city as we kick off our fall residency at the Blue Whale. On Sunday, October 5th, we’ll be highlighting the history and widespread influence of latin music on the African continent. We will explore the ways in which clave-based Cuban music and New York Salsa led to the development of vibrant local scenes in countries like the Congo, Senegal, Benin, and Ethiopia.

Amara Toure, Gnonnas Pedro, El Rego, and Orchestra Baobab are some of the luminaries of this genre that we’ll be paying tribute to on this special night. We will also have some special guests featured in the rhythm and horn sections.
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featuring:
TODD SIMON – (trumpet, music director, arranging)
RANDAL FISHER – (saxophone)
DEXTER STORY – (keys, guitar, arranging)
DAMON AARON – (guitar)
ALAN LIGHTNER – (steel pan / percussion)
TE’AMIR YOHANNES SWEENEY – (drums, percussion)

special guests:
JOSIEL PEREZ – (trumpet)
BRANDON EUGENE OWENS – (bass)
RICHI PANTA – (percussion)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5

$15 / 21+ / 8pm–12am

Blue Whale
123 Astronaut E S Onizuka Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 620-0908

Residency Dates: October 5, Nov 2, December 7

16th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival

16th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival

The 16th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival

Produced by Center for the Arts Eagle Rock
Presented by Councilman José Huizar

Saturday, October 4, 2014
4pm-10pm

On Colorado Blvd.
between Eagle Rock Blvd. and Argus Dr.

$10 Suggested Donation (kids under 14 free)

YOUR DONATION SUPPORTS ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Prepay through Ticketfly.com:

Supporter – $10 exclusive digital download, featuring handpicked tracks from artists/bands playing ERMF this year, and access to FastTrack Entrance

VIP – $20 exclusive digital download, featuring handpicked tracks from artists/bands playing ERMF this year, FastTrack Entrance, access to the VIP area in front of Center Stage, a pair of tickets to an upcoming CFAER show (subject to availability), and our exclusive ERMF T-Shirt

Ticketfly Link
http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/677249?utm_medium=bks

Over 30 bands & DJ’s, 6 Unique Stages, Food Trucks, Local Eagle Rock Businesses, Arts & Crafts, and more.

Lineup
http://eaglerockmusicfestival.org/

Volunteer!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Lzz_ZJk4Sbh3q3yoy85K4kk2ZsGw22ybbFkeMwV5qgU/viewform

Set times and surprise announcements coming soon!

Thank You to our sponsors!
http://eaglerockmusicfestival.org/sponsors/

Metro Presents: Ethio Cali

Metro Presents: Ethio Cali
LA Union Station, Fred Harvey Room
FREE

Metro Presents showcases an exciting array of free arts and cultural programs at historic Union Station….

In celebration of Ethiopian New Year, we’re excited to present Ethio Cali, a Los Angeles based Ethio-Jazz ensemble, led by trumpeter, arranger, and composer Todd Simon. The ensemble’s sublime sound is inspired by the golden age of Ethiopian music of the 1960s and 70s, filtered through a lens that is uniquely Los Angeles. Acknowledging the diverse musical foundations of Ethio-Jazz, the ensemble also draws inspiration from the rhythmic and melodic textures of Sudan, Somalia, Ghana, and Colombia.

7:45pm Doors open
8:15pm Ethio Cali – first set
9:15pm Ethio Cali – second set

DJ Jeremy Sole (KCRW / theLIFT) spinning before & in between sets.

While admission is free, space is limited and attendees will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Come early and hear DJ Jeremy Sole of KCRW / theLIFT spin some tunes! Doors open 7:45.

For more information: metro.net/unionstation
(click on Events)