KUTU
new album “MARDA” (Naïve / Believe / February 2025)
In 2020, amidst the Covid pandemic, Théo Ceccaldi finds himself drawn to Ethiopia for a breath of fresh air. The immediate cultural shock of bustling Addis Ababa, and the encounter with singer Hewan Gebrewold, prove pivotal. Two entirely unknown worlds are tamed, giving birth to the unique sound of KUTU, blending Ethiopian vocals, trance, jazz, and electro in an explosive combo. The collective, joined by Cyril Atef (drums), Akemi Fujimori (keyboards), and Valentin Ceccaldi (bass), sets off on its first 10 concerts in France, unsure of where this adventure will lead. An incandescent ethio-trance combo, where the freedom of jazz blends with the raw depth of Azmari sounds. KUTU stirs and explodes with dazzling rhythms and energy, imposing a frenetic dance, a joyful spirituality!
Word of mouth spreads, leaving audiences mesmerized by their incandescent energy at every concert. By 2023, after over 100 shows across Europe, and with a debut album hailed by the press, KUTU is now a family that has found its own voice between traditional heritage and the global dance floor. The group continues to collectively compose new tracks, on tour, in hotel rooms in Addis, or in studios in Paris.
Today, KUTU has just signed with the prestigious French label Naïve and is gearing up to release its 2nd album MARDA (early 2025), marking a new musical direction. MARDA fully embodies the music of the new generation in Addis and Paris, while drawing inspiration from Ethiopian ancestral music. Accompanied by producer Lazy Flow (Pongo, Meryll, Féfé), KUTU creates a 2nd album that’s groovy, radiant, and euphoric. It features 12 new pop-infused gems, hybrid and luminous, like “Asheweyna,” a song of celebration. Fueled by feverish energy, improvisation, and trance remain at the heart of their stage performance. Each concert is a unique musical experience, celebrating collective collaboration, sharing, and cultural encounters.
*in agreement with Zamora productions
VIDEO
Live footage – Jazz sous les Pommiers (2023)
Video clip – Baamet Beal (2022)