Black Jesus Experience

Black Jesus Experience are a nine piece Ethio-jazz band based in Melbourne, Australia. Since 2009 they have been best known for collaborations with Mulatu Astatke as well as a growing discography of independent work.[1] Black Jesus Experience blend traditional Ethiopian music with hip-hop and funk.[2]

Black Jesus Experience
Mulatu Astatke performing with Black Jesus Experience at the 50th Anniversary of Australian and Ethiopian diplomatic relations event 2015.
Mulatu Astatke performing with Black Jesus Experience at the 50th Anniversary of Australian and Ethiopian diplomatic relations event 2015.
Background information
Also known asBJX
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
GenresEthio-jazz
Years active2008 (2008)–present
Members
  • Enushu Taye
  • Peter Harper
  • Ian Dixon
  • Liam Monkhouse
  • Richard Rose
  • James Davies
  • Zac Lister
  • Larry Crestani
  • Bob Sedergreen
  • Kahan Harper
Past members
  • Chris Frangou
  • Matt Head
  • Patrick Kearney
  • Cass Horsfall
  • Hue Blanes
  • Nashua Lee
  • Nui Moon
  • Stuart Perera
Websiteblackjesusexperience.com

In June 2009 they appeared on a segment of Sunday Arts, which was broadcast nationally by ABC-TV.[3] They are winners of The Age's "Best Tour 2010" award for their Australian tour with Astatke.[4]

Black Jesus Experience have played numerous festivals including Glastonbury Festival, Big Chill, City of London Festival, WOMADelaide, The Big Day Out and Melbourne Jazz Festival, supported Tony Allen and toured Europe and Ethiopia.[5]

Their fourth album, Migration. received the 'Best Global/Reggae album' accolade at The Age's 2014 Music Victoria awards.[6]

In 2016, Black Jesus Experience released their fifth studio album, Cradle of Humanity, a collaboration with Mulatu Astatke, followed by an Australian and New Zealand tour including the 2016 Melbourne Jazz Festival.[7][8]

On July 3, 2020 Black Jesus Experience released their second collaborative album with Mulatu Astatke entitled To Know Without Knowing following a 2019 Australian tour. The album received critical acclaim, vocals by Taye were hailed 'mesmerising' and the album deemed an 'irresistible collective effort'.[9]

Black Jesus Experience currently hold a weekly residence at Melbourne's The Horn African Cafe and Restaurant performing their catalogue each Sunday as well as holding regular live concerts across Melbourne.[10]

Discography

Studio albums
Title Album details
Black Jesus Experience
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: BJX (BJX 01)
Dark Light
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: BJX (BJX 02)
Yeluinta
  • Released: 2010[11]
  • Label: BJX (BJX 03)
Migration
  • Released: 2014[12]
  • Label: BJX (BJX 04)
Cradle of Humanity (with Mulatu Astatke)
  • Released: 2016
  • Label: BJX (BJX 05)
To Know Without Knowing (with Mulatu Astatke)
  • Released: 2020
  • Label: BJX (BJX 06)
Good Evening Black Buddha
  • Released: 2022
  • Label: BJX (BJX 06)

Awards and nominations

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2014 Migration Best Global or Reggae Album Won [13]
Best Jazz Album Nominated [14]
2016 Cradle of Humanity Best Global or Reggae Album Nominated
2020 Black Jesus Experience Best Intercultural Act Won [15][16]
2021 Black Jesus Experience Best Intercultural Act Nominated [17][18]
2022 Black Jesus Experience MAV Diasporas Award Nominated [19]
2023 Black Jesus Experience MAV Diasporas Award Pending [20]

References
  1. Nicholas, Jessica (22 November 2011). "Mulatu Astatke at World Music Expo". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  2. Power, Liza (15 June 2009). "Moving to the rhythm of life". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  3. Sunday Arts, ABC, 2009, retrieved 8 July 2015
  4. "The Black Jesus Experience". Daily Planet. Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 24 March 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  5. "Mulatu Astatke (Ethiopia) with the Black Jesus Experience". Melbourne International Jazz Festival 2010. Melbourne Jazz Festival. 8 May 2010. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  6. Boulton, Martin (16 October 2014). "Victoria's outstanding talent recognised at The Age Music Victoria Genre Awards". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  7. Mulatu Astatke & The Black Jesus Experience: Cradle of Humanity, 2016-06-15, retrieved 2017-04-07
  8. "History | Melbourne International Jazz Festival". melbournejazz.com. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  9. Davis, Clive (2020), To Know Without Knowing by Mulatu Astatke and Black Jesus Experience review, retrieved 3 Sep 2020
  10. The Horn African Cafe, 2020-09-03, retrieved 2020-09-03
  11. Black Jesus Experience (Musical group) (2011), Yeluinta, Edge Entertainment. National Library of Australia, retrieved 8 July 2015
  12. Black Jesus Experience (Musical group) (2014), Migration, Black Jesus Experience. National Library of Australia, retrieved 8 July 2015
  13. "Previous Winners". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  14. "Previous Nominess". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  15. "Industry Awards Winners And Hall Of Fame Inductees Revealed + 2020 Music Victoria Awards Nominees Announced With Public Voting Now Open!". Music Victoria. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  16. "Sampa The Great Walks Off With a Stack of Music Victoria Awards". noise11. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  17. "Music Victoria Awards Reveals Line-up And Nominees for 2021". Noise11. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  18. "Music Victoria Awards 2021 Winners". scenestr.com.au. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  19. "Music Victoria Awards 2022 Nominees for Industry-Voted Categories Announced". Music Victoria. 27 October 2022. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  20. "Nominees, Hall of Fame Inductees Announced for 2023 Music Victoria Awards". Music Feeds. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
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