Yale students celebrate Ethiopian and Eritrean jazz
The second annual collaboration between student groups highlighted jazz traditions of the Habesha community.
The Yale Ethiopian and Eritrean Students Association (YEESA) and the Yale Undergraduate Jazz Collective (YUJC) co-hosted their second annual jazz evening on Saturday in the Davenport College common room. The event showcased the jazz traditions of Ethiopia and Eritrea, East African neighbours.
YEESA President Liana Markos said jazz is deeply ingrained in the Habesha community's culture, prompting the idea to incorporate it at Yale. The collaboration began last year when YEESA approached YUJC, which readily agreed to participate. YEESA handled logistics like booking space and arranging food, while YUJC provided musical promotion and performance.
The evening featured jazz performances alongside an open mic for spoken-word poetry and songs, creating a calm and welcoming atmosphere. Attendees noted the music's authenticity, reminiscent of jazz clubs in Addis Ababa. Organizers plan to expand the event to a larger venue and reach more of the Yale community.
Why it mattersStudents from the Habesha community in the US are celebrating their cultural heritage through jazz music.