Page 47 - Poze Magazine Volume 82

Q&A Editorial Session
Poze Magazine: Your musical journey is deeply rooted in
Ethiopian heritage. How do you balance preserving
traditional sounds while blending them with genres like with Dereje Tamirat
Afrobeat, jazz, and reggae?
My journey starts with the rich and diverse sounds of Ethiopia.
I’ve always been fascinated by how our traditional melodies
carry stories and deep spiritual energy. As I explored genres
like Afrobeat, jazz, and reggae, I found they shared a similar
heartbeat, rhythm, soul, and resistance. Therefore, I balance
the traditional music as the core, then building around it with
modern elements. It would be like telling an ancient story with
a new voice honoring the past while pushing creative
boundaries.
Poze Magazine: Co-founding Afro Groove must have been
an incredible experience. What was the vision behind the
band, and how has it influenced your musical evolution?

Afro Groove was born from a desire to celebrate African
rhythms with global appeal. The vision was to create a
platform where our own roots could be fused with modern
sounds. It helped me grow not just as a bassist, but also as a
composer, and band leader. Our performances on stages
are collaborations across genres challenged me to think
globally while staying Ethiopian authentically. Afro Groove
gave me confidence that fusion isn`t just possible; it powerful.
The experience shaped me into a better performer,
collaborator, and cultural storyteller.
Poze Magazine:You`ve performed across Ethiopia and
internationally can you share what made your performance
at the Global Music Campus particularly fulfilling?

The Global Music Campus was a powerful moment in my
career. I performed with a multicultural band featuring
musicians; for instance, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, South
Sudan, Sera Leon and Germany. We played “Jinja Road”, a
well-known Ugandan piece, where I performed as a bassist. It
was not only a musical exchange but also a cultural, unity, and
growth across East Africa. That performance paved ways to
the richness of regional collaboration and deepened my
appreciation for music as a universal language.
Poze Magazine: As a music educator and mentor, what
impact do you hope to make on your students and the next
generation of Ethiopian musicians?
I’m fascinating in teaching music; therefore, as a music
professional teacher, my goal is to inspire young musicians to
explore their creativity while staying rooted in their cultural
identity. In my teaching experience, I have identified some
talented students who will be effective in the music industry. I
believe music is not only a skill but a powerful form of
expression that connects people to their heritage. My mission
is to cultivate creativity, confidence, and culturally pride
young musicians. I aim to inspire students not just to master
their instruments, but also to understand the power of music as
a tool for identity, expression, and change. My hope is to see
my students carry forward our traditions while crafting their
own stories.