<p>Tezeta Band brings its Ethio-Soul Revue to the Voodoo Room Friday, Aug. 26. Submitted photo</p>

ASTORIA – Tezeta Band was formed in 2006 as a tribute to the golden age of Ethiopian jazz and soul music. This seven-piece band grooves through the songs of such legendary Ethiopian musicians as Mulatu Astatke, Mahmoud Ahmed, Sebroum Gebreyes and Tilahun Gesesse, while also performing original tunes. Tezeta Band’s music channels complex rhythms and tight harmonies from across the world and back to their home in Portland.

Tezeta Band consists of five former members of 90s hip hop band The Five Fingers of Funk. During the 1990s, The Fingers nine-piece funk and hip-hop experience blazed across the United States, releasing three CDs and filling legendary venues while opening for such acts as Maceo Parker, De La Soul, The Roots, Run DMC, Sublime and more. After the break-up of Five Fingers, in 2006 the idea for the new band happened after a few members came across the Ethiopiques CD series and were inspired to put together a weekly session based on this music. Realizing that they had found a challenge that was both exciting and unique, they formed Tezeta Band, which has continued to evolve since.

Talbott Guthrie on drums, Ted Hille on saxophone, Tim Cook on keyboards, Curt Bieker on trombone and Josh Prewitt on trumpet were joined by bassist and composer John Teagle (Astoria High School class of 1991) and guitarist Brent Martens (of Asylum Street Spankers, Royal Motel Orchestra and Duo Royale).

Tezeta Band has brought its high energy Ethio-Soul Revue to packed clubs across the northwestern United States and have performed twice with Ahmed, on New Year’s Day 2010 and 2011. Tezeta Band has released a self-titled five song EP and is working on a full length CD.

Tezeta Band will perform at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at the Voodoo Room, 1114 Marine Drive. There is a $6 cover charge.

More information about the band is available at www.tezetaband.com and www.myspace.com/tezetaband