Musician Tilahun Gessesse

Famous Ethiopian Musician and now Humanitarian Tilahun Gessesse will be attending ESFNA 2006 in Los Angeles. Everyone in the LA3 organizing committee are very excited by the news of his attendance.

Visit the website for more information that would be added in the near future; in the mean time listen to Tilahun's interview given to "Addis Live" [ click here to play http://www.addislive.com/content/blogsection/4/41/ ]

Full Bio - From TilahunGessesse.com

Artist Dr. Tilahun Gessesse was born to Woizero Gete Gurmu and Ato Gessesse Wolde Kidan on Sunday, September 27, 1942, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. When he was forteen years old, he was taken by his grandfather to Woliso. While he was in Woliso, he began attending Ras Gobena Elementary School. As time went by, his interest in music became so clear that his grandfather urged him to concentrate in his school studies instead of music. On the other hand, the Ras Gobena School Principal Mr. Shedad (Sudanian) who realized Tilahun’s interest in music urged him to go to Sudan to pursue his interest in music. Even though young Tilahun did not go to Sudan to pursue his music career, he took Mr. Shedad’s advice very seriously. When artists form Hager Feker Theater, Woizro Negatwa Kelkai, Ato Eyoel Yohanes and others came to Ras Gobena Elementary School to perform, Tilahun grabbed this opportunity to discuss his interest in music with Ato Eyoel. Young Tialhun was told to go to Addis Ababa if he wanted to pursue his career in music.

Young Tilahun was so determined to pursue his career in music that he decided to leave Ras Gobena School to go to Addis Ababa. He then began his journey to Addis Ababa on foot without telling his grandfather. When his grandfather realized that Tilahun was no longer in Woliso, he informed Tilahun’s great-aunt in Tulu Bolo. After Tilahun traveled fifteen kilometers on foot, he was caught in Tulu Bolo and stayed over night with his great-aunt Woizero Temene Bantu in Tulu Bolo. The next day, he was forced to return back to his grandfather in Woliso. Since his interest in music lied deep in his heart, Tilahun did not have any patient to stay at his grandfather’s house in Woliso. After stayed only one night at his grandfather’s house, Tilahun Gessesse again began his journey by Truck to Addis Ababa. This time, he was hidden him self inside the back of a loaded truck. The driver of the truck, besides the loaded materials on the back of the truck, did not know that he was also transporting the future King of Ethiopian Music to Addis Ababa.

Once Tilahun arrived in Addis Ababa, he immediately began to show his talent. He was first hired by the Hager Feker Association, which is nowadays known as Hager Feker Theater.

After a few years at the Hager Feker Theater, Tilahun joined the Imperial Body Guard Band where he became a leading star singer. He then moved to the National Theater where he became famous and successful with his wonderful voice. Tilahun was so famous that he appeared three times in front of His Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie I. During his visit with his Majesty, His Majesty advised Tilahun not to abuse his gifted talent. Tilahun kept his majesty’s advice and has become the king of Ethiopian music and his name has also become a household name among all Ethiopians.

If we try to post everything about the Living Legend’s history on this website, it would be impractical. Even if we are able to post everything about our great legend, Artist Dr. Tilahun on this website, it would take “years” to download his remarkable history. Without exaggeration, Artist Dr. Tilahun is a living legend, the pride of all Ethiopians, and the King of Ethiopian music.

Ethiopians have already enjoyed Artist Dr. Tilahun’s uninterrupted melodies for over four decades. It would be very difficult to talk Ethiopian music without mentioning his name. Recently, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the Addis Ababa University, in appreciation of his contribution to Ethiopian music. He has also received an award for his lifetime achievements from the Ethiopian Fine Art & Mass Media Prize Trust. Artist Dr. Tilahun Gessesse currently lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with his wife Roman Bezu and his two children Helen and Yonathan Tilahun.

Thanks to our Almighty God, Dr. Tilahun is currently in a very good shape with excellent health condition….and he is coming to America to make history again……be the lucky ones to witness when the King makes history in front of your eyes.

Past Guests of Honor