The Fairfield Ethio-Jazz Project

Bath’s finest contemporary musicians join forces with stars from across the South West and beyond in a unique musical tribute to the region's historic residency of former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I. Laura Jurd, Will Gregory and other local luminaries explore Ethio-Jazz, a unique fusion of the traditions of jazz with the pentatonic qenets and rhythms of East Africa. Julius Richard will also feature on krar (a five stringed Ethiopian harp) 

From 1936-1941 HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I and the Royal Family lived in exile in Fairfield House, Bath during Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia. After his return to Ethiopia a flourishing jazz scene emerged during the 1960s & 70s, led by musicians such as Mulatu Astatke, Hailu Mergia & Walias Band.

Today Fairfield House, Bath is a community social enterprise dedicated to preserving and celebrating HIM’s legacy www.fairfieldhousebath.co.uk. When Bath celebrated the 70th anniversary of HIM being awarded the Freedom of the City Fairfield House convened its Ethio-Jazz Project to support those celebrations.

Fairfield Ethio-Jazz Project's debut album 'Bath Ketema' to be released by Severn Songs & Kelston Records (digital and vinyl) also features Adrian Utley (guitar) and Harriet Riley (vibraphone).

Live we will hear Laura Jurd, Will Gregory, Ross Hughes, Julius Richard, Riaan Vosloo, Mark Whitlam, Stephen ‘Blaggy’ Blagrove, Norman ‘Rubba’ Stephenson....plus possibly more