dr, perc, *1953
Musician of World and R&B/Soul
Tamrat "Loti" Kebede was born on July 27, 1953 in Ethiopia. He was a highly regarded drummer, having played on many early recordings with very familiar Ethiopian artists during the "Golden Age", such as Alemayehu Eshete. He has also lent his talents to musical acts from other parts of Africa, such as Mike Nyoni, and most prominently, Mombasa Roots, both from Kenya. After relocating to Sweden in the 1980s, he made a comeback to Ethiopian music in 1991, touring with the likes of artists like Neway Debebe, Tsehaye Yohannes, and Tilahun Gessesse, on whose greatest hits album he is featured. He passed away at the age of 49.