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Sileshi Demissie (Gash Abera Molla)

 Sileshi Demissie (Gash Abera Molla) (ስልሺ ደምሴ ፡ ጋሽ አበራ ሞላ is an extraordinary singer and musician from Ethiopia. He uses a complex vocal styling, sung in Amharic, his native language. He accompanies himself on the krar, a 6-string lyre which dates back to the ancient civilizations of the Nile. Sileshi uses a very different and attractive singing style to play his music that always seems to entertain his audience. He is also an environmental activist for he got the name Gash Abera Molla, a synonym for 'Clean your neighborhood'.

Biography
Sileshi was born and grew up around Jan-Meda in Addis Ababa. He began studying the krar at an early age with his father, and later attended the Yared School of Music. He spent nearly four years studying traditional Ethiopian culture in northern rural areas, and today is highly respected for his knowledge of the vocal and instrumental music of his native land.

Later, he went to United States and was enrolled in higher musical education institutions in Vermont, Goddard College, Burlington College and worked with Michigan State University Masters program On African and Asian music research.

During his stay abroad, he had presented a number of solo and group concerts with world renowned musicians. Moreover, he had published a total of 11 albums in Djibouti, the United States and Germany respectively.

His musical works were widely covered by international televisions and radio stations,had also secured the esteem and The Boston Globe, Washington post and many other known journals.

Sileshi is also a skilled instrument maker who builds and plays a variety of folk instruments such as krars, fiddles, harps and drums.

Sileshi is not only known for his outstandingly unmatchable creativity but also for the positive impact he made in everyday lives of Ethiopians around the country. He does a phenomenal job in motivating the youth to keep their environment clean and helping tackle related health issues.

Upon returning to Addis Ababa after 20 years as a successful singer in the United States and decided to address the social and environmental problems that plagued his home city, he set up a new organization and named it after a character in his songs - Gashe Abera, the old man who takes care of his local community.

He has done almost the unthinkable in helping change the image of cities around Ethiopia. He inspired the youth around the country not only by teaching them the importance of a clean environment but also by participating in action.

Sileshi and many more young Ethiopians were out picking up trash, cleaning up streets and setting up public parks where children and adults enjoy themselves. Places where people use as dumpster were turned into a green zone. Eventually, the mission grew from being 'Gash Abera and the youth' to inspiring the entire community get involved. He had accomplished what the city municipals around the country couldn't even attempt. His mission of creating a cleaner and healthier environment is still an ongoing effort that every Ethiopian should support.

He had also won, among others, the UN Environmentalist award, as well as the London Green Award for his volunteer contribution.

Discography

 * 1987 - Tesfaye: A Future Hope
 * 1993 - Songs from Ethiopia Today
 * 1999 - Sorene: Children's Songs from Ethiopia
 * 2013 - Yamiral Hagere