site.btaEthiopian Punk Jazz Night in Sofia 4 April

An Ethiopian punk jazz night will take place in Sofia at Pave club on 4 April, Alarma punk jazz organizers announced.

Ukandanz (also, uKanDanZ) is currently one of the most important Ethio-jazz bands worldwide, blending elements of punk, progressive and free jazz, led by the singer Asnake Gebreyes. The quintet combines the old urban music of Addis Ababa with the specific Ethiopian saxophone playing, which has long spread to both Europe and America.

Globally, Ukandanz is a phenomenon close only to the joint project between The Ex - the founders of Impro-punk in Europe, and the Ethiopian saxophonist Getatchew Mekurya (1935-2016).

The other band members are Damien Cluzel (bass), Lionel Martin (saxophone), Fred Escoffier (keyboards) and Thomas Pierre (drums). Ukandanz have released five studio albums, with their sixth, Evil Plan (2025), due out in April 2025.