Atse Tewodros is a project that creates an artistic dialogue around historical memory and common future, between four musicans of traditional Ethiopian music (Endres Hassan on the traditional monochord fiddle Masinko, Fasika Hailu on Ethiopian lyre Kirar, Yohanns Afework on traditional flute made out of river cane washint, Mesale Legesse on traditional Ethiopian drums kebero) and three italian jazz/afrofunky musicians (Michele Giuliani on piano, Tommaso Ruggero Drums and percussions, Camillia Missio on bass), and , together with the voice of the founder, the Ethio-Italian Gabriella Ghermandi,
writer/performer and singer.
With the mix of sounds from the piano, bass, kirar, washint, masinqo drums and vocals, this musical group blend traditional and modern instruments to develop a unique and interesting sound
Atse Tewodros Project takes as its symbol Emperor Tewodros, the one who modernize Ethiopia while respecting the tradition. In spite to the centuries old Ethiopian tradition, he was not of Ethiopian royal descent, he rose to power because of his perseverance and charisma, qualities that charmed the Ethiopian people to the point that they broke with centuries-oldtradition and supported his accession to the throne.
He was also the emperor who fought against Queen Victoria’s army and defended Ethiopian independence in the century of African colonization.
This is the message Atse Tewodros Project wants to spread with their music project: any human being has the right to realise his dreams, no matter where he was born.