ABINNET BERHANU’S AHNDENET (UNITY)

Abinnet Berhanu’s Ahndenet (Unity) pays respect to Ethiopian folk, fusion and pop music by exploring the rich instrumental and vocal across different regions of Ethiopia. Inspired by his culturally rich upbringing in everything Ethiopian history, music and politics, composer and drummer Abinnet Berhanu created Ahndenet as a modern take on Ethiopian ‘culture house’ music groups that represent the various sub-cultures that make up what is known as Ethiopia. The ensemble includes Genet Abate (Vocals), Bryan Murray (Sax), Jeff Bailey (Bass), Pete Whitman (Sax), and Joe Strachan (keys). Ahndenet first took stage during Berhanu’s March 2023 artist residency at Icehouse MPLS. Since then, the project expanded to include Minneapolis-based Ethiopian vocalist Genet Abate. In 2024, Abinnet Berhanu’s Ahndenet was awarded a Cultural Heritage Grant from the Minnesota Humanities Center as a part of the 2024 Folk Will Save Us Culture Ambassador Cohort.