I would rank December as one of the best months in 2024. I may be biased by the fact that it was a vacation time for me, enjoying exciting travels during the Christmas season, and finally taking time to recuperate after a busy and testing year. The icing on the cake was my visit to the Africa Jazz Club for an end-of-year show.
The Monday show was star-studded, featuring veteran vocalist Girma Beyene, a timeless icon in the Ethio-Jazz scene, alongside the legendary composer Mulatu Astatke, virtuoso lead guitarist Bibisha (Mengesha Teferi), and Giovanni Rico, the bass guitarist from the legendary Roha Band of the 1980s. Girma’s performance of his signature piece, “Tsigereda,” received a standing ovation. Many in the audience moved closer to the front row to applaud, including a woman who caught my eye as she returned to her seat.
It was Kuku Sebsibe, the diva who reigned over the Ethiopian music scene in the 1980s and 1990s. Her nostalgic nightingale voice, serene demeanor, radiant smile, and unforgettable stage presence were etched in my childhood memories. I remembered her as the shy young girl who mesmerised audiences with her braided hair adorned with white seashell beads, appearing like a princess on our black-and-white TV during a time when broadcasts were filled with war stories.
Seeing her in person felt surreal. Gathering my courage, I asked her if she was indeed Kuku, an awkward question since her identity was unmistakable. With her trademark smile, she confirmed and wondered if we had met before. I confessed that she had been my icon for decades. We hugged like old friends, a moment that felt both extraordinary and familiar.
I hopped she would step on the stage as many were. Later in the show, Kuku graced the stage as a guest star, when it was least expected. The club erupted in applause as she performed two of her beloved songs, rocking the house with boundless energy and earning the audience’s admiration. Her performance was elegant, joyous, and electrifying, making the end-of-year jazz night an unforgettable farewell to 2024. I was lucky to take a picture with both legends, Girma and Kuku, a memory I will cherish forever.
The holiday season was vibrant abroad. Streets in Tokyo, Yokohama, and Bangkok glowed with festive lights, live music, and bustling markets. But, amidst the cheer, the global economic challenges were palpable. Inflation had dampened holiday spirits, with skyrocketing prices straining consumers everywhere. Even in the U.S., economic concerns overshadowed other issues in the 2024 elections, echoing Bill Clinton’s campaign mantra: “It’s the economy, stupid!”
It was not all joy for everyone in the world. Tragedy also marked the end of the year. A plane crash involving Jeju Airways claimed 179 lives. The news hit close to home as my son and I had recently transited through Incheon International Airport on our way to Tokyo. Having shared the festive atmosphere in Thailand, where many of the victims had vacationed, the tragedy felt profoundly personal. South Korea declared a week of mourning, and New Year celebrations were subdued in its wake.
On a personal note, 2024 has not been the best. Illness kept me sidelined during the summer, and only in the last quarter did I feel fully revived. Globally, conflicts raged in Ukraine, the Middle East, and elsewhere. Major political shifts, such as Donald Trump’s re-election, Bashar al-Assad’s ousting, and the deaths of key Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, dominated headlines.
I met several street vendors and shop keepers in Thailand, who fled from the raging war in the neighbouring country Myanmar. The expressions that I saw on the faces of the immigrants shows their sorrow from being deprived a peaceful life in their homeland. I was particularly struck with their humble, kind and upbeat attitude even in the face of adversity. They have a marked patience and hope that all it will all be over one day and get back their past lives in one piece, despite the odds not seeming in their favour.
The rise of artificial intelligence in 2024 showcased its transformative potential while raising profound questions about the future. The technology’s rapid evolution promises opportunities but also stirs anxieties about the displacement of human professions. From journalism to medicine, customer service to warehouse operations, many roles are increasingly under threat. The Fifth Industrial Revolution, driven by AI, is poised to redefine work and society, with predictions that the world may become unrecognizable in a few decades. The exponential growth of knowledge, fueled by AI, is unlike anything humanity has witnessed in millennia.
The passing of Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president, at the age of 100, offered a moment of reflection. Carter’s post-presidential legacy as a philanthropist and human rights advocate remains unparalleled. As AI evolves, some believe it could preserve memories of such figures, ensuring their legacies endure. Yet, as I listened to Bibisha’s soulful guitar at the Africa Jazz Club, I wondered if AI could ever replicate the artistry of Ethio-Jazz; or if Elon Musk's Martian spacecraft could reach the astral spaces beyond Mars that the melodies transport us to. Music, after all, is the ultimate expression of the human spirit, a celebration of life that transcends time and technology.
Einstein once said, “Life without playing music is inconceivable for me.”
It is a sentiment I deeply resonate with, especially as I recall the magic of that evening. Music has a way of making time stand still, reminding us to savor the present moment. For me, that night was a perfect farewell to a turbulent year and a hopeful embrace of what lies ahead.
PUBLISHED ON
Jan 04,2025 [ VOL
25 , NO
1288]
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