Members of The Either/Orchestra with Mulatu Astake and Fasika Huile in Addis Ababa
In Ethiopia The Either/Orchestra had the opportunity to revive the music of Maestro Nerses Nalbandian, an Armenian who was the primary teacher, arranger and bandleader in Ethiopia from the 1930s-70s.
His music had not been played since before the communist revolution of 1974, and E/O leader Russ Gershon was given scores and recordings in order to reconstruct the music of this group. The E/O played fourteen of his arrangements on the same stage you see pictured here - and we even wore tuxes!
The Nalbandian family and many of the old members of the Orchestra were present, and it was an indescribable experience to give so many people a chance to reexperience or experience for the first time this wonderful music.