The Sounds of VTech

VTech and Mochilla offer you a brief glimpse back at the first two events of the Timeless Series.

On February 1st, 2009, VTech and Mochilla started the Timeless composer/arranger series off with a bang. Timeless I: Mulatu Astatke.

Mulatu Astatke, Ethiopian musician and arranger, father of the Ethio-jazz sound, performed to a sold out crowd at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex with special guests, Bennie Maupin, Azar Lawrence and Phil Ranelin.

Musically trained in London, New York and Boston, Astatke became the first African student at the Berklee College of Music. From there he worked with jazz artists such as Duke Ellington and brought back Jazz to his native Ethiopia. 

Already beloved for his Ethio-jazz sound, Mulatu has continued his work in different realms of the music world. He continues to work on the modernization of traditional Ethiopian instruments, served as an Abramowitz Artist-in-residence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and  produces songs for many artists from East Africa. In 2005, Jim Jarmusch’s Broken Flowers brought Mulatu Astatke’s music to a new level of sheer appreciation, solely using Mulatu’s music in his film.

On his signature instrument, the vibraphone, Mulatu’s sound reverberated throughout the crowd.

On Sunday, February 22nd, 2009, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Carlos Nino, brought J.Dilla to the stage in a fitting tribute, Timeless II: Suite For Ma Dukes.

“The concert is a celebration of J Dilla’s life, what he loved and what inspired him. It is a show of support, appreciation and love for his incredible mother Maureen Yancey, whom I recently had the sincere pleasure of meeting and sitting down with. It is very exciting for everyone, there is a real crisp freshness pervading everything on all levels. This is celebrating the infinite possibilities always before us.” - Miguel Atwood-Ferguson

J Dilla, born James Dewitt Yancey, is regarded by many of his peers as one of the greatest hip hop producers. Coming on to the scene in the early 90’s, by 1995, he became the go to man for many of hip hop’s elite. Working with such artists as Madlib, Pete Rock, Common, Busta Rhymes, Mos Def, Pharrell, 9th Wonder, A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde, Kanye West, Karriem Riggins, Questlove, and more. 

Though Dilla passed February 10th, 2006, due to complications stemming from Lupus and blood disease TTP, those who knew and loved him continue to keep his music alive. 

Timeless II: Suite For Ma Dukes  brought the sold out audience  at the Luckman Fine Arts Plaza to their feet as the power of Dilla’s music, love, and energy  overwhelmed their very senses. It was indeed a magical evening.