19 Facts About Abatte Barihun

Abatte Barihun is an Israeli jazz saxophonist and composer.

Abatte Barihun's sound is reminiscent of John Coltrane's, who has highly influenced Barihun.

Abatte Barihun's house resided next to the music school of Addis Ababa University, as well as a nearby military base.

Abatte Barihun got a saxophone and joined the music school, where he was exposed to the albums of Charlie Parker and others.

For eight years Abatte Barihun kept playing every night at the Hilton and Sheraton hotels of Addis Ababa.

Abatte Barihun played in the Ethiopian National Theater and toured with Mahmoud Ahmed.

Abatte Barihun joined his family in Israel on 1999, leaving behind his ex-wife and their son Nahum.

Abatte Barihun's fingers were burned by dishwashing detergents, hindering his practice with his saxophones.

Abatte Barihun was discovered by Moshe Bar-Yuda, then head of the TOMER NGO, and formerly one of the first Israeli emissaries to Beta Israel communities.

Towards the fifth minute Yedid interprets the piece on his piano, to which Abatte Barihun joins for a penetrating duet.

The composition ends with Abatte Barihun's singing, sealed with a sigh.

Downtown Music Gallery has commented on this tune that Abatte Barihun "reaches even deeper into his heart and soul and sings this touching piece sublime spirit".

In December 2003 Abatte Barihun established the Kuluma band, together with Itamar Borochov, Alon Yoffe, Uri Naveh, Sangit Dotan Segal, Orr Bareket and David Adda.

Ariel Zilber has supported Abatte Barihun and added him to his concerts since they met.

Abatte Barihun participated in Zilber's 2005 album Anabel, writing and composing its titular song Anabel.

Abatte Barihun joined the East West Ensemble to their concert "The Hidden Spirituals", released as a 2006 album titled "Kabbalah Music - The Hidden Spirituals".

Abatte Barihun plays with Nadav Haber's quartet on their highly acclaimed Addis Mist concert, starting 2006.

In May 2007 Abatte Barihun played on Melbourne Jazz Festival with Australian pianist Aaron Choulai, on a concert termed "the most unique showcase of the entire festival".

Abatte Barihun appears on "Temanesh", the closing track of The Apples album "Dragonz".