Sometimes referred to as “Ethiopia’s Aretha Franklin”, Aster Aweke is an Ethiopian singer who lives in the United States.

Aweke was born in 1961 in Gondar, Ethiopia and was raised in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Her father was a senior civil servant in the Imperial government. By the age of 13 she was determined to become a musician, and started her career at Hager Fikir Theatre in Addis Ababa. By her late teens, she was singing in Addis Ababa clubs and hotels with such bands as the Continental Band, Hotel D'Afrique Band, Shebele Band, and the Ibex Band before they became the internationally known Roha Band. Aweke's distinct style has been influenced by other Ethiopian singers such as Bizunesh Bekele. Launching a solo career, she was encouraged by musical entrepreneur Ali Tango, who financed and released five cassettes and two singles of her music. By 1981, she had become disillusioned by Ethiopia's oppressive political climate following the death of iconic leader Haile Selassie and relocated to the United States. Temporarily settling in the Bay Area of California with plans to pursue an education; within two years, she settled in Washington, D.C., one of the largest Ethiopian expat communities in the country. Here she became increasingly popular within the Ethiopian community, performing in restaurants and clubs. She also remains popular in Ethiopia; in 1997 she performed in Addis Ababa for a crowd of over 50,000 people. Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Overview of the city with Fasilides castle in the center. ... For the long-distance runner, see Addis Abebe. ... Hager Fikir Theatre in Addis Ababa is not only the theatre with the greatest tradition in Ethiopia but also the oldest indigenous theatre in Africa. ... For the long-distance runner, see Addis Abebe. ... For the long-distance runner, see Addis Abebe. ... Haile Selassie Haile Selassie (Power of Trinity) (July 23, 1892 – August 27, 1975) was the last Emperor (1930–1936; 1941–1974) of Ethiopia, and is a religious symbol in the Rastafarian movement. ...

Discography

• Ethiopian Groove - The Golden Seventies, Paris, 1994, Buda Musique (contains three of her very first recordings)
• 1989 Aster (Triple Earth / Columbia Records)
• 1991 Kabu (Triple Earth / Columbia Records)
• 1993 Ebo (Barkhanns)
• 1997 Live in London (Barkhanns)
• 1999 Hagere (Kabu Records)
• 2002 Sugar (Kabu Records)
• 2004 Asters Ballads (Kabu Records)
• 2006 Fikir

Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... This article is about the year. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• All Music Guide - Aster Aweke
• African Legends Aster Aweke World Music
• Sheger Video - Ethiopian Music and Fun Videos
• Africanmusiciansprofiles.com - Aster Aweke