Lyrics from Not Just a Song

Ethiopian-American saxophonist Danny Mekonnen leads this 11-piece Boston based outfit fronted by vocalist Bruck Tesfaye. Formed in 2006, Debo Band (pronounced “debbo”) have gone on to tour Ethiopia and perform at African music festivals including the Ethiopian Music Festival and Sauti Za Busara, the latter being the largest music festival in East Africa. In North America they’ve performed at the Montreal Jazz Fest, globalFEST 2012 at Webster Hall, and World Music Festival: Chicago, among other venues. July 10, 2012 marks the release date of the band’s anticipated self-titled debut album. Their exciting sound combines 1970’s Ethiopian pop over syncopated funk grooves, layered with accordions, horns, violins, and drums. The album was produced by Thomas Gobena (of Gogol Bordello) and mastered by Grammy nominated engineer Joe LaPorta.