Black Jesus Experience

Black Jesus Experience

Black Jesus Experience is an ethio-jazz group from Melbourne, Australia, active since 2008. It is a nine-piece band whose membership spans New Zealand, Australia and Ethiopia, and it combines traditional Ethiopian songs with jazz, funk and hip-hop.

Releases and collaborations

Alongside its own recordings, the group is known for working with Ethiopian multi-instrumentalist Mulatu Astatke under the name Mulatu Astatke & Black Jesus Experience. Its fourth album, Migration, receives the Best Global/Reggae album award at The Age’s 2014 Music Victoria awards.

Performances and awards

Black Jesus Experience appears at a range of festivals, including Glastonbury Festival, Big Chill, City of London Festival, WOMADelaide, The Big Day Out and Melbourne Jazz Festival. The group also supports Tony Allen and tours Europe and Ethiopia. In 2020, it wins the Best Intercultural Act award.