Mulatu Astatke (Amharic: ሙላቱ አስታጥቄ; also spelled Mulatu Astatqé and Astatké) is an Ethiopian vibraphonist, percussionist, composer and arranger, born in Jimma in 1943 (BBC; Library of Congress). He studied in London and at Berklee College of Music in Boston, recorded for Amha Records in Addis Ababa from 1969, and named his blend of Ethiopian modes, jazz and Latin rhythm Ethio-jazz (The Guardian). His most recent album, Mulatu Plays Mulatu, was released by Strut Records on 26 September 2025.
Read the full profile of Mulatu Astatke, with a sourced chronology, sources and official listening picks.
Official links: official YouTube channel; Mulatu Plays Mulatu at Strut Records; Éthiopiques 4 at Buda Musique.
Last fact-checked: 19 October 2026.
