Jazz ecelectics performing in Africa

SOMERVILLE, Mass., Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The 10-piece Either/Orchestra will be the featured artist Jan. 12-24 at the third annual Ethiopian International Music Festival in Addis Ababa.

The greater Boston-based group will be the first American large jazz ensemble to play in Ethiopia since the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1973. Concerts will include Ethiopian music, American jazz and a collaboration with Ethiopian musicians.

The trip will also feature a visit to Kampala, Uganda for a concert at the National Theater.

"Everybody in the band is looking forward to visiting Africa, hearing Ethiopian music at the source, and meeting Ethiopian musicians and civilians," said saxophonist Russ Gershon, who founded the group in 1985.

The Either/Orchestra is one of the first western groups to consider Ethiopian music part of the world groove heritage - and to play and record it.

"Ethiopian music works really well as jazz because rhythmically it is anchored in the wider African sense of polyrhythms. Because of the particular history of modern music in Ethiopia, there is a strong tradition of pop bands with big horn sections, and even a very unique and definite Ethiopian saxophone style," said Gershon. "It connects with us because all jazz and Latin musicians are deeply connected to African music through the history and tradition of what we do."