Part of the Small World Music Festival presented in association with Koffler Centre for the Arts and Batuki Music Society

Ethiopian-born Israeli singer Ester Rada’s cross-cultural sound blends classic soul with African influences of Fela funk and Ethiopiques cool jazz. Singing in English and Amharic, her irresistible voice carries echoes of Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald, while standing shoulder to shoulder with contemporary greats like Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu.



Glamorous and exotic, Ester Rada was born in Israel of Ethiopian heritage. She spent her mandatory army service singing in a military band, then forged an amazing hybrid out of Afropop and the contemporary music happening in Tel Aviv’s ultra-hip clubs. What emerged was a soul singer influenced as much by Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin as by Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill. Ester released her debut EP in 2013 and became an overnight sensation, soon gaining wide acclaim on a tour of North America and Europe – including a celebrated appearance at England’s renowned Glastonbury Festival and the opportunity to open for Alicia Keys in Israel. Often called a retro-soul singer in the manner of Janelle Monae, the velvet-voiced Ester combines torch jazz, funk, and even reggae with enough touches of so-called “Ethio-jazz” to give her a unique and compelling sound. Gal Dahan saxophone, Ben Hoze guitar, Michael Guy bass, Lior Romano keyboard, Dan Mayo drums, Maayan Milo trombone.

“Rada … brought a highly contagious, joyful energy to the stage.” – Rochester City