Black Jesus Experience

{{Short description|Melbourne band}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Black Jesus Experience

| image = Mulatu Astatke with Black Jesus Experience.jpg

| caption = Mulatu Astatke performing with Black Jesus Experience at the 50th Anniversary of Australian and Ethiopian diplomatic relations event 2015.

| alias = BJX

| origin = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

| genre = Ethio-jazz

| years_active = {{start date|2008}}–present

| associated_acts = Mulatu Astatke, Mahmoud Ahmed, Bob Sedergreen, Blow

| website = {{URL|blackjesusexperience.com}}

| current_members = * Enushu Taye

• Peter Harper
• Ian Dixon
• Liam Monkhouse
• Richard Rose
• James Davies
• Zac Lister
• Larry Crestani
• Bob Sedergreen
• Kahan Harper

| past_members = * Chris Frangou

• Matt Head
• Patrick Kearney
• Cass Horsfall
• Hue Blanes
• Nashua Lee
• Nui Moon
• Stuart Perera

}}

Black Jesus Experience are a nine piece Ethio-jazz band based in Melbourne, Australia. Since 2009 they have been best known for collaborations with Mulatu Astatke as well as a growing discography of independent work.{{cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/mulatu-astatke-at-world-music-expo-20111122-1nrbe.html |title=Mulatu Astatke at World Music Expo |author=Nicholas, Jessica |publisher=Fairfax Media |work=The Age |date=22 November 2011 |access-date=8 July 2015 }} Black Jesus Experience blend traditional Ethiopian music with hip-hop and funk.{{cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/moving-to-the-rhythm-of-life/2009/06/14/1244917932491.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 |title=Moving to the rhythm of life |author=Power, Liza |publisher=Fairfax Media |work=The Age |date=15 June 2009 |access-date=8 July 2015 }}

In June 2009 they appeared on a segment of Sunday Arts, which was broadcast nationally by ABC-TV.{{Citation |title=Sunday Arts |publication-date=2009 |publisher=ABC |url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/191078570 |access-date=8 July 2015 }} They are winners of The Age{{'}}s "Best Tour 2010" award for their Australian tour with Astatke.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/dailyplanet/the-black-jesus-experience/3007258 |title=The Black Jesus Experience |publisher=Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) |work=Daily Planet |date=24 March 2011 |access-date=8 July 2015 }}

Black Jesus Experience have played numerous festivals including Glastonbury Festival, Big Chill, City of London Festival, WOMADelaide, The Big Day Out and Melbourne Jazz Festival, supported Tony Allen and toured Europe and Ethiopia.{{cite web |url=http://www.melbournejazz.com/v2010_archived/webpages/event41ef.html |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20110524140100/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/42195/20110525-0001/www.melbournejazz.com/v2010_archived/webpages/event41ef.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 May 2011 |title=Mulatu Astatke (Ethiopia) with the Black Jesus Experience |publisher=Melbourne Jazz Festival |work=Melbourne International Jazz Festival 2010 |date=8 May 2010 |access-date=8 July 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Their fourth album, Migration. received the 'Best Global/Reggae album' accolade at The Age{{'}}s 2014 Music Victoria awards.{{cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/victorias-outstanding-talent-recognised-at-the-age-music-victoria-genre-awards-20141016-1173vj.html |title=Victoria's outstanding talent recognised at The Age Music Victoria Genre Awards |author=Boulton, Martin |publisher=Fairfax Media |work=The Age |date=16 October 2014 |access-date=8 July 2015 }}

In 2016, Black Jesus Experience released their fifth studio album, Cradle of Humanity, a collaboration with Mulatu Astatke, followed by an Australian and New Zealand tour including the 2016 Melbourne Jazz Festival.{{Citation|title=Mulatu Astatke & The Black Jesus Experience: Cradle of Humanity|date=2016-06-15|url=http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rnafternoons/features/album-of-the-week/mulatu-astatke-&-the-bkack-jesus-experience:-cradle-of-humanity/7512152|language=en-AU|access-date=2017-04-07}}{{cite web|url=http://melbournejazz.com/about-us/history|title=History {{!}} Melbourne International Jazz Festival|website=melbournejazz.com|access-date=2017-04-07}}

On July 3, 2020 Black Jesus Experience released their second collaborative album with Mulatu Astatke entitled To Know Without Knowing following a 2019 Australian tour. The album received critical acclaim, vocals by Taye were hailed 'mesmerising' and the album deemed an 'irresistible collective effort'.{{Citation |title=To Know Without Knowing by Mulatu Astatke and Black Jesus Experience review |publication-date=2020 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/to-know-without-knowing-by-mulatu-astatke-and-black-jesus-experience-review-an-irresistible-collective-effort-6nlbdtc2c |access-date=3 Sep 2020 |last1=Davis |first1=Clive }}

Black Jesus Experience currently hold a weekly residence at Melbourne's The Horn African Cafe and Restaurant performing their catalogue each Sunday as well as holding regular live concerts across Melbourne.{{Citation|title=The Horn African Cafe|date=2020-09-03|url=https://thehorncafe.com.au/|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-09-03}}