October 5, 2016 – Meklit “This Was Made Here” Live – Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA

Dexter Story performs 2 songs on guitar with international artist Meklit Hadero on Wednesday, October 5 at Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

Travel on a diasporic odyssey with singer, musician, and cultural instigator Meklit. Immersed in her sonic homelands of Ethiopian traditional songs, jazz, and the songwriter tradition, Meklit performs music of going and returning that grooves and soars. Hear her celebrate the newness of life and the ties that bind us together, and be inspired to bridge the frontiers between language, tribes, and disciplines.

NPR hails: “[Meklit] Hadero’s sound is a unique blend of jazz, Ethiopia, the San Francisco art scene and visceral poetry; it paints pictures in your head as you listen.”

Meklit Live
This Was Made Here
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
8:00 p.m.
Skirball Cultural Center

http://www.skirball.org/programs/music/meklit

http://www.laweekly.com/event/meklit-7407368

After The Fact: I was honored to play with the brilliant Meklit at Skirball Cultural Center on Wednesday, October 5. Meklit blends acoustic folk sounds with Ethiopian jazz and traditional music in her own unique way. It’s daring, delicate, expansive and eloquent. I played on a tender song called “Yesterday is a Tizeta” and a brash guragé titled “You Are My Luck.” What an awesome talent and beautiful soul! Her arrangements are otherworldly. I hope to do more with her in the future and highly recommend you check her out.

http://www.meklitmusic.com/upcoming-shows/

July 31, 2015 – Ethio Cali Live (Opening for Zongo Junction) – El Cid, Los Angeles, CA

Playing multiple instruments with Ethio Cali on their opening set supporting Brooklyn Afrobeat collective Zongo Junction on Friday, July 31. Generating a well-deserved buzz in NYC’s exploding afrobeat scene, Zongo Junction electrifies dance floors wherever they perform. The Village Voice describes their live show as “Sheer energy with the force of a tractor-trailer that roars with power and noise.” With five horns, and a six-piece rhythm section, audiences can’t help but move no matter where the band is playing.

Ethio Cali opening for
Zongo Junction
Also featuring Quita Peñas
Friday, July 31, 2015
9pm
$15
El Cid
4212 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA, 90029
http://www.elcidla.com/

September 12, 2014 – Metro Presents Ethiopian New Year Celebration w/ Ethio Cali Live – Union Station @ Fred Harvey Room, Los Angeles, CA

Playing various instruments with Ethio Cali Ensemble live at Union Station celebrating the Ethiopian New Year on Friday, September 12.

Ethio Cali is 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.

Admission is free and on a first-come, first-served basis.

7:45pm Doors
8pm DJ set by Jeremy Sole (KCRW, TheLift, Afro Funké)
8:15p Ethio Cali first set
9p DJ set with Jeremy Sole
9:15p Ethio Cali second set

Ethiopian New Year Celebration w/ Ethio Cali Live
Friday, September 12, 2014
8-10pm
Free
Fred Harvey Room
Union Station
800 North Alameda St
Los Angeles, CA 90012

http://www.metro.net/about/union-station/

August 28, 2014 – Ethio Cali Live – Fifty Seven, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Playing multi-instruments and arranging with Ethio Cali Ensemble at Fifty Seven on Thursday, August 28. This night will feature covers from the all over the African continent. DJ Boss Harmony is on the ones and twos.

The band features:

Todd M. Simon – trumpet / bandleader
Sonny Abegaze – vibes
Dexter Story – drums, guitar, keys, percussion
Michael McTaggart – guitar
Mark de Clive-Lowe – keys
Patrick Bailey – bass
Randal Fisher – tenor saxophone
Kamasi Washington – tenor saxophone
Steve Haney – percussion
Te’Amir Sweeney – drums

 

Ethio Cali Live
Thursday, August 28, 2014
9pm
Fifty Seven
712 South Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown LA, CA 90021

fiftysevenla.com/downstairs

 

November 17, 2013 – Ethio Cali Plays Semena Werk (aka Wax and Gold): Ethiopian Songs Curated by Sonny Abegaze – Blue Whale, Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Playing with Todd Simon’s Ethio Cali Ensemble at The Blue Whale in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo on Sunday, November 17. Ethio Cali will play music from the Wax & Gold (aka Semena Werq) period selected by group co-founder and peripheral bandmate Sonny Abegaze. The group will feature a string section for the first time.

Thank you to all our old and new friends who joined us last month for the first night of our monthly residency at the Blue Whale.  It was a magical night performing the Mulatu of Ethiopia album with legendary saxophonist Justo Almario.

This month, Ethio Cali will invoke the spirit of ‘Semena Werq’ (aka Wax and Gold) and perform a new set of songs from the catalogues of Hailu Mergia & Walias, Alemayehu Eshete, The Police Orchestra, and other luminaries of Ethio Jazz.  Semena Werq is a form of traditional Ethiopian poetry that has one surface meaning, known as wax, and multiple hidden meanings, known as gold.  Musicians have used Semena Werk to explore topics such as spirituality, politics, and matters of the heart.  We look forward to exploring the many layers of meaning contained within the music we will be performing.

For this performance, we will also feature an amazing string section for the first time.  Please join us for what promises to be another special night. 

Todd Simon’s Ethio Cali Ensemble Plays Wax & Gold (Semena Werq)
Curator: Sonny Abegaze
Sunday, November 17, 2013
8pm
123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St #301
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 620-0908

http://bluewhalemusic.com/

http://ethiocali.com

Commentary: The technique of “Wax & Gold” is the basic double entendre structure of Ethiopian poetry where in addition to the obvious meaning of the text (wax) there is also another meaning (gold) hidden within the poem. Qene (or qiné) are the poetic forms used during this interpretation but during the Derg (1974 – 1987), semena werq often enabled singers to criticize the government without upsetting the censors. Semena Werq is used here to group the diverse range of Ethiopian musical expression that we will attempt to play.

October 20, 2013 – Ethio Cali Ensemble Performs “Mulatu of Ethiopia” Live – Blue Whale, Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Playing drum set with Todd Simon’s Ethio Cali Ensemble performing the entire Mulatu Astatke album “Mulatu of Ethiopia” on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at the Blue Whale (DTLA). This special concert is the first of a three-month residency and features saxophonist Justo Almario who performed on the 1972 recording. Also featured will be steel pan master Alan Lightner on vibraphones for the first time with the group.

Todd Simon and Blue Whale Present
Ethio Cali Ensemble Performs “Mulatu of Ethiopia” Live
Featuring Justo Almario
Sunday, October 20, 2013
8pm
$10
21+
Blue Whale
123 Astronaut E S Onizuka Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

http://bluewhalemusic.com/
Commentary: My favorite group Ethio Cali Ensemble kicks off a monthly residency at the Blue Whale by tackling the “Mulatu of Ethiopia” album live. I am beyond excited playing this classic Ethio Jazz recording with the guys featuring legendary saxophonist Justo Almario. It has always been my dream to mount a live album series at a club like The Blue Whale. The icing on the cake will be pan player Alan Lightner on vibraphone doing the Mulatu Astatke parts. This show is a must-see!

October 18, 2013 – Dancing Under The Stars: Esperanza’s Annual Fundraiser featuring Ethio Cali – Mercado La Paloma, Los Angeles, CA

Playing drum set with Ethio Cali Ensemble for Mercado La Paloma’s Dancing Under The Stars Annual Fundraiser for Esperanza on Friday, October 18, 2013. The event is from 5:30 until 10:30pm.

Description: Esperanza’s Annual Fundraiser, Dancing Under the Stars where we will celebrate – Coming Home to the Mercado La Paloma!

Ethio Cali Live
Dancing Under The Stars: Esperanza’s Annual Fundraiser
Friday, October 18, 2013
5:30pm – 10:30pm
Mercado La Paloma
3655 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 748-1963
$125 (door)

http://www.esperanzacommunityhousing.org/about/our-mission/

September 30, 2013 – Popular Music of Ethiopia w/ Ethio Cali Ensemble Live – San Diego State University School of Music and Dance, San Diego, CA

Playing drum set with Todd Simon’s Ethio Cali Ensemble at San Diego State University for the School of Music and Dance on Monday, September 30 at 6pm.

San Diego State University School of Music & Dance Popular Music of Ethiopia ft. Ethio Cali Ensemble
Monday, September 30, 2013
6– 8pm
Cover: $12

San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182

http://music.sdsu.edu/

September 7, 2013 – Integrative Clinics International Fundraiser (icihealth.org) Featuring Ethio Cali Live – Little Ethiopia Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA

Playing bass guitar with Todd Simon’s Ethio Cali Ensemble for an Integrative Clinics International benefit at Little Ethiopia Restaurant in the Little Ethiopia/Fairfax area of Los Angeles. ICI Health is a “doctors without borders” organization that is currently active in Jamaica.

 

Integrative Clinics International Fundraiser/Benefit
Featuring Ethio Cali Ensemble Live
September 7, 2013
6pm
Little Ethiopia Restaurant
1048 S Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 930-2808

http://www.icihealth.org/

http://www.ethiocali.com

August 27, 2013 – VIDEO: Ethio Cali Ensemble Live w/ Dereb The Ambassador – Blue Whale, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA

Todd Simon’s Ethio Cali Ensemble featuring Dereb The Ambassador appear in the following live video in support of their 2 Los Angeles-area performances at Grand Performances and Blue Whale. The performances took place on July 26 and July 28. Tadias Magazine was on hand to document the performance at Blue Whale. The songs performed on the video are “Shigey Shegitu” and “Etu Gela.”

http://www.tadias.com/08/27/2013/update-massinko-player-dereb-the-ambassador-joins-ethio-cali-live-in-l-a-video/

Video shot and edited by Andrew Freire.

Commentary: This video is one of my favorites featuring Ethio Cali. It documents the rousing Blue Whale nightclub/performance space show on Sunday July 28 featuring arranger/bandleader Todd Simon’s Ethio Cali Ensemble and Sydney-based massenqo player and vocalist Dereb Desalegn. Andrew Freire shot and edited the footage with aplomb. We had performed 2 days prior at Grand Performances and we’re ready to unleash it on a more intimate setting. Blue Whale just happens to be our favorite place to play. If this video doesn’t give you a sense of who Ethio Cali and Dereb are (together), I don’t know what will. Enjoy!

July 28, 2013 – Ethio Cali featuring Dereb The Ambassador Live – The Blue Whale, Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Playing drum set with Todd Simon’s Ethio Cali Ensemble featuring Sydney-based vocalist Dereb Desalegn (aka Dereb The Ambassador) live at The Blue Whale on Sunday, July 28. This show is an encore performance of Friday’s Grand Performances co-bill with University of Gnawa.

On the heels of a highly successful concert at Downtown Los Angeles’ Grand Performances, Ethio Cali returns to their favorite venue for a spirited night of Ethio and world jazz featuring accomplished Sydney-based vocalist and musician Dereb The Ambassador.

Tonight’s band features a who’s who in Los Angeles musical talent augmented by Ethiopian lyrics and new traditional material.

Todd Simon – trumpet, music director
Dereb Deselegn – vocals, massenqo
Kamasi Washington – tenor saxophone
Randal Fisher – tenor saxophone
Vardan Ovsepian, Mark de Clive-Lowe – piano
Damon Aaron – guitar
Patrick Bailey – bass guitar
Steve Haney – percussion
Te’Amir Sweeney – percussion
Dexter Story – drums

Ethio Cali:
Ethio Cali is 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 1960’s and 70’s, 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.

Dereb The Ambassador:
Born in Ethiopia, Dereb grew up amongst a family of musicians, completely immersed in his home country’s rich melange of sounds, rhythms and musical styles. Dereb’s extraordinary vocal talent was recognised early on, with his first performances at the age of 4. With parent mentors by his side he went from strength to strength, adding a Masenqo, the single-stringed Ethiopian spike fiddle, to his repertoire by the age of 10. By his teens he was drawing crowds in the bars of Addis Ababa and around Ethiopia.In 2003 Dereb recorded his first solo album ‘Korkorow Yalew’ from which the hit single ‘Wollo’, reached number one on the Ethiopian charts. Dereb has since toured in America, England, Asia, New Zealand and Australia where he currently resides.

Ethio Cali featuring Dereb The Ambassador Live

Sunday, July 28, 2013
2 sets: 9pm and 11pm

$10

The Blue Whale

123 Astronaut E S Onizuka Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 620-0908

http://www.bluewhalemusic.com

http://bluewhalemusic.com/2013/07/28/7-28-13-ethio-cali-ensemble-10/

Commentary: I apologize. This show already happened and it was even more epic than Grand Performances. I have posted it because I like to keep blog inventory of the amazing opportunities I have to do music. In case you missed it and follow this blog, please know that we will be back at the Blue Whale very soon and I will make sure you are aware.

July 26, 2013 – KCRW Presents Ethio Cali featuring Dereb The Ambassador Live @ Grand Performances – California Plaza, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Playing drum set with Todd Simon’s Ethio Cali Ensemble featuring Sydney-based vocalist Dereb Desalegn (aka Dereb The Ambassador) live at Grand Performances on Friday, July 26. This show is sponsored by KCRW and also features The University of Gnawa.

About Todd Simon’s Ethio-Cali Ensemble:

Ethio Cali is a Los Angeles-based Ethiopian jazz ensemble led by trumpeter/arranger/composer Todd Simon and featuring a cast of the finest musicians from Southern California. The ensemble’s sublime sound is inspired by the Golden Age of Ethiopian music of the 1960’s and 70’s, filtered through a lens that is uniquely Los Angeles and roots-inspired. Acknowledging the diverse musical foundations of Ethio-jazz, the ensemble also draws inspiration from the rhythmic and melodic textures of Sudan, Somalia, Ghana, and Columbia.

Ethio Cali featuring Dereb The Ambassador Live

Friday, July 26, 2013
8pm

Free

Grand Performances

California Plaza

350 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown Los Angeles

http://www.grandperformances.org/events/university-of-gnawa-ethio-cali/

http://www.ethiocali.com

Commentary: What’s so special about this show is that this will be the first time that Ethio Cali has performed with international superstar Dereb The Ambassador. We have also wanted to perform with him and we feel like this is the right opportunity to collaborate with such an amazing vocalist. I look forward to it. The set list is fire.

July 4, 2013 – 4th of July Block Party featuring Ethio Cali – Grand Park, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Playing drums with the awesome Ethio Cali band at Grand Park’s 4th of July Block Party.

Experience the 4th in a whole new way! Pack your family and friends, puppies and picnics and head to Grand Park to see Downtown LA light up in a spectacle not to be missed!

All day picnicking, splashing, and grubbing. Music begins at 3pm.

YOUR HOST / Anthony Valadez of KCRW

ARTISTS / Ethio Cali, Jungle Fire + surprise guests!

FOOD TRUCKS / TBD

Prepared food picnics encouraged in the park. Grilling and cooking prohibited. Visitors may not bring alcoholic beverages into the park.

METRO RED LINE TO CIVIC CENTER / GRAND PARK STATION: Go Metro and save at www.metro.net/discounts.  Take the Metro Red or Purple Lines to Civic Center/Grand Park Station.  To plan your route, use the Metro Trip Planner.

4th of July Block Party
Free.
Grand Park
200 North Grand Avenue
Los Angeles,CA 90012
USA

http://grandparkla.org/ai1ec_event/4th-of-july-block-party/?instance_id=

http://ethiocali.com/

February 12, 2013 – Ethio Cali Studio Recording – Kamal’s Studio, Los Angeles, CA

Recording with Todd M. Simon’s Ethio Cali Ensemble in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 12. The band features Todd M. Simon on trumpet and music director, Kamasi Washington and Randall Fisher on tenor saxophones, Mark de Clive-Lowe on keyboards, Itai Shapira on guitar, Patrick Bailey on bass, Steve Haney and Te’Amir Sweeney on percussion and Dexter Story on drums. This is the first Ethio Cali studio recording ever and will be available in a few months on 7″ vinyl. Songs covered during the session include Mr. Simon’s Ethio Medley, Simon’s Green Tej and Story’s Fresh Kitfo.

Personnel:

Todd M. Simon: Music Director / Trumpetist
Kamasi Washington: Tenor and Soprano Saxophones
Randall Fisher: Tenor Saxophone
Mark de Clive-Lowe: Keyboards
Itai Shapira: Guitar
Patrick Bailey: Bass
Steve Haney: Percussion
Te’Amir Sweeney: Percussion
Dexter Story: Drums

Tuesday, February 12
9-6pm
Ethio Cali Studio Recording
Undisclosed
Los Angeles, CA

Commentary: What a magical session! All analog gear, great engineer vibes, relaxed space, cool musicians and good music. I can’t wait for you to hear this recording.

January 31, 2013 – Todd Simon Presents Ethio Cali Live – The Blue Whale, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA

Playing drums and contributing songs for a special Ethio Cali live concert at The Blue Whale on Thursday, January 31, 2013. Ethio Cali is an all-star band that performs original music in the spirit of Ethiopia and world cultures lead by prolific arranger/composer/trumpetist Todd Simon. This venue is one of the group’s favorite venues and promises to be an exceptional show.

ethiowhale

Photo courtesy of Farah Sosa. Please visit her website at http://www.farahstop.blogspot.com.

Ethio Cali Live
Thursday, January 31, 2013
8pm
The Blue Whale
123 Astronaut E S Onizuka Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 620-0908
http://bluewhalemusic.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EthioCali