Girma Bèyènè (

Amharic Amharic is an Ethio-Semitic language, which is a subgrouping within the Semitic branch of the Afroasiatic languages. It is spoken as a first language by the Amhara people, and also serves as a lingua franca for all other metropolitan populati ...

: ግርማ በየነ), born in

Addis Ababa Addis Ababa (; ,) is the capital city of Ethiopia, as well as the regional state of Oromia. With an estimated population of 2,739,551 inhabitants as of the 2007 census, it is the largest city in the country and the List of cities in Africa b ...

, is an Ethiopian lyricist, composer, arranger, vocalist, and pianist, most active during the golden era of Ethiopian

vinyl record A phonograph record (also known as a gramophone record, especially in British English) or a vinyl record (for later varieties only) is an analog signal, analog sound Recording medium, storage medium in the form of a flat disc with an inscribed, ...

s (1969–78). He is a great performer, even now on his old age. He is expressed by many as "Ethiopian gem". He only recorded four songs as a vocalist, but arranged more than 60 titles, and collaborated on at least 25 other tracks. Girma left Ethiopia during the

Derg The Derg or Dergue (, ), officially the Provisional Military Administrative Council (PMAC), was the military junta that ruled Ethiopia, including present-day Eritrea, from 1974 to 1987, when they formally "Civil government, civilianized" the ...

military dictatorship to live in the United States, where he disappeared into the diaspora and ceased to play music. He released a new album in 2017, part of the Ethiopiques collection.

Discography

;Contributing artist * ''Éthiopiques Volume 8: Swinging Addis'' (2000,

Buda Musique Buda Musique is a French record label specializing in world music. It was founded in 1987 by Gilles Fruchaux and Dominique Buscall. After Buscall died in 1990, Fruchaux became the sole owner. The label is especially known for its '' Éthiopiques' ...

) * '' The Rough Guide to the Music of Ethiopia'' (2004,

World Music Network World Music Network is a UK-based record label specializing in world music. The World Music Network website features news, reviews, live music listings, and guide sections on world music. It also features an online "Battle of the Bands" competi ...

) * ''Éthiopiques Volume 22: Alèmayèhu Eshèté, featuring Girma Bèyènè'' (2007,

) ;Lead artist * ''Éthiopiques Volume 30: "Mistakes On Purpose", Girma Bèyènè & Akalé Wubé'' (2017,

)

References

External links

"Girma Bèyènè - Biography"
Last.fm * * Ethiopian music arrangers Living people Musicians from Addis Ababa Year of birth missing (living people) {{Ethiopia-bio-stub