Hailu Mergia: A Pioneering Ethiopian Musician's Journey to International Acclaim
Born and raised in Ethiopia, Hailu Mergia rose to prominence in the early 1970s as the leader of the Walias Band, an instrumental funk and jazz ensemble that performed at hotels and nightclubs in Addis Ababa.
With a unique blend of hard funk, traditional music, and jazz, the Walias Band quickly gained popularity, often playing all-night sets in the Ethiopian capital. Their music was a staple of the city's nightlife, catering to a loyal crowd that skirted the country's early curfew.
In 1981, the Walias Band became the first modern Ethiopian group to tour the United States, but despite their efforts, they failed to achieve major success. However, a handful of band members, including Mergia, chose to settle in America rather than return to Ethiopia under the country's strict dictatorial regime.
Mergia settled in Washington, D.C., where he worked as a taxi driver and continued to perform occasionally. He recorded a series of homemade solo cassettes that blended jazzy accordion and analog synth leads with electric piano and old drum machines.
One of these cassettes, "Hailu Mergia & His Classical Instrument," was discovered by Brian Shimkovitz, who reissued it through his label Awesome Tapes from Africa in 2013. This led to the reissue of additional Walias and Mergia releases, as well as international tours and the formation of a new Mergia solo band.
In 2018, Mergia released a new studio album, "Lala Belu," which reached the Top 20 on Billboard's Jazz Albums chart. He continued his late-career renaissance in 2020 with the release of another trio album, "Yene Mircha." Then, in 2021, his debut 1975 cassette-only release with the Walias Band, "Tezeta," was finally reissued.
Throughout his career, Mergia has been praised for his innovative approach to music, blending traditional Ethiopian sounds with modern styles and instruments. His music has resonated with audiences around the world, and he remains a beloved figure in the Ethiopian music scene.
