ANBESSA ORCHESTRA
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Anbessa Orchestra brings its seven-piece take on classic Ethiopian music to Barbès. The group draws from the sound documented on the Ethiopiques series, playing both familiar and lesser-known tunes by Ethiopian masters alongside original compositions. Trumpeter Wayne Tucker joins alto saxophonist Eyal Vilner, baritone saxophonist Eden Bareket, guitarist, composer and arranger Nadav Peled, keyboardist Dor Heled, bassist Ran Livneh and drummer Eran Fink.
The orchestra approaches this repertoire personally while staying close to the Ethiopian sounds of the 1960s and 1970s. Its music is rooted in the Ethio-funk current associated with 1970s Addis Ababa, with the band's original material designed to sit naturally alongside those inspirations. This is a full-band set focused on the meeting point between classic Ethiopian dance-floor repertoire and newly written arrangements and compositions.
Barbès offers a compact, warmly worn space where the music feels immediate and close, with a long wooden bar and a back room under a scarlet ceiling that hosts nightly performances. The venue champions a broad spectrum of global sounds, from Balkan brass and klezmer to Afrobeat and experimental jazz, often featuring residencies like the Slavic Soul Party. The audience gathers around small tables or at the bar, sharing drinks crafted with a nod to French spirits, while the music invites attentive listening rather than loud conversation. Shows usually have a suggested donation instead of a cover charge, creating a welcoming environment where the focus is on the artists. The venue’s commitment to accessibility and its role in Brooklyn’s cultural fabric make it a distinctive spot for an evening of richly diverse live music.