TasWeekend: Black Jesus Experience performing in Hobart as part of Jazzamanca jazz festival

A nine-piece band will bring their irresistibly danceable blend of traditional Ethiopian song and 21st century groove to Hobart next week as part of the Jazzamanca jazz festival.

Black Jesus Experience. Picture: BRAM LAMMERS 

WHEN saxophonist Peter Harper first set eyes on Enushu Taye in Melbourne 25 years ago it was love at first sight. And then the seasoned musician discovered that Taye was a talented singer and performer, and he knew their fate was sealed.

Fast forward to the present day and the husband and wife duo are part of nine-piece band Black Jesus Experience, creating an irresistibly danceable blend of traditional Ethiopian song and 21st century groove, which they will bring to Hobart on Friday as part of the Jazzamanca jazz festival.

“I guess the biggest part of the story would be me meeting my wife about 25 years ago,’’ Harper explains of the band’s creation. “When I first saw her I fell in love — and then I found out she was a singer.’’

MORE: INSIDE SALAMANCA ARTS CENTRE’S NEW JAZZ FESTIVAL

They’ve been working on various musical projects together ever since, and started Black Jesus Experience in 2007.

Black Jesus Experience. Picture: BRAM LAMMERS

The Melbourne-based ensemble typically consists of eight members — who hail from five different countries and all met in Melbourne — but sometimes the band performs with more or fewer members because, as Harper explains, it’s “pretty organic”.

The couple’s 15-year-old son, Kahan, has recently joined Black Jesus Experience, which Harper is thrilled about, taking the number of band members who will perform in Hobart to nine. The group also features Tasmania’s Zac Lister among its members.

“I’m very proud to say this year our son will be playing drums with us,’’ a doting Harper says of Kahan. “He’s an amazing musician. And he’s been touring with us since he was in his mother’s womb.’’

The group is led by Taye on vocals, presenting compositions inspired by her remarkable life story and the unique vocal traditions of her African homeland.

Hailing from Ethiopia, Taye was only a child when she began singing for her local community. In 1992, she was forced to take refuge in Cairo before migrating to Australia in 1996.

The band has released six award-winning albums, including two collaborations with Ethiojazz legend Mulatu Astatke.

A seventh album is now being released with copies available at Jazzamanca. A tour of Mozambique, Swaziland and Ethiopia is also scheduled for May, the band’s fifth African tour.

Black Jesus Experience has previously performed in Tasmania as part of Mona Foma, and will headline Hobart’s Jazzamanca festival later this week.

The event, curated by jazz legend Ted Vining, brings some of Australia’s best jazz musicians to Salamanca Arts Centre over four days. Other performers include the Michelle Nicolle Quartet, Wanderlust, Late Night Club with Konrad Park & Friends, Nick Haywood Quartet, BLOW, Nock/Stuart/Wilson/Zwartz, Ted Vining Trio and The Best of the Con.

There will also be jazz-related film screenings, panel discussions and a vinyl record swap meet.

See Black Jesus Experience perform as part of Jazzamanca on Friday in the Salamanca Arts Centre Courtyard, from 5.30pm-7.30pm. Tickets are $18 (plus booking fee). The four-day festival runs from February 27 to March 1, with free and ticketed events. More details at salarts.org.au/portfolio/jazzamanca