The
Pulse of Entertainment: Jazz
Saxman Ski Johnson Featured on ‘ATIYO' Single of Ethiopian Superstar Rophnan
(August 23, 2024) - "It's ‘A. T. Yo,' just like its spelled (ATIYO),"
said Ski Johnson, a five-time Grammy considered saxophonist, who is featured on the Ethiopian superstar Rophnan Nuri
Muzeyin's new single "ATIYO," about the title of the song when I asked. "I just
think it's a word."
The Billboard chart-topping saxophonist sounded very excited about being featured on
the Rophnan project. I took a listen, and I got excited too, it really is a hot number. Rophnan is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
and he wrote and produced the "ATIYO" single. Rophnan is also a DJ, keyboardist and producer. He has released four
albums which has garnered him international recognition. Rophnan has almost ½ million Facebook followers, 68,000 listeners
on Spotify, 13,000 followers on Twitter, and over 300,000 followers on Instagram.
"He's like the Michael Jackson of Ethiopia,"
Ski said, schooling me about the magnitude and scope of the project. "We met when he came through DC on tour. We became
friends and he brought me into the studio. I want to use my platforms to bring him here."
"I just did my thing," Johnson told me when I asked about recording his sax on the Rophnan track.
"We were in the studio together. He came to DC."
When Ski first heard the Rohnan track for "ATIYO" he said,
‘This is hot!" The same thing I said!
The "ATIYO"
single also features the beautiful vocals of Shewit Mezgebo beautifully echoing the word Atiyo. The single is off of the new
self-titled album "Rophnan - Zetegn." Rophnan is known for blending tradition Ethiopian music with Hip-Hop beats,
then on this single he adds the Jazz sounds of the Ski Johnson's sax and now he has a masterpiece of a project.
"It
was like ‘Fame'," said Ski Johnson when we were talking about his humble beginning at a school of the arts. "I
went to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Music helped with self-esteem. It's important."
Ski Johnson is a legend in the Jazz world with 10 albums to his credit. Born Donald Johnson, Ski started his
career touring with Brian McKnight and Walter Beasley. He went on to tour with Patti LaBelle and other iconic artists. His
albums have featured such artists as Tony Terry and Roy Ayers. The Washington, DC native is best known for last album "Jazz
For Life," a Billboard chart-topper. www.SkiJohnson.us or www.SkiJohnson.com
SYNDICATED
COLUMN: Dr. Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over one million with The
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