For Ethiopian keyboardist Hailu Mergia, such traditional pull is no restraint. “‘Tizita’ is an old song and we always play that music, no matter what,” Mergia said in a phone interview ...

Mergia’s interest in the music business eventually faded, and in the ’90s he started driving a Washington Flyer taxi, ferrying passengers who only occasionally recognized his famous-in-Ethiopia name.

Once a music star in Ethiopia, Hailu Mergia moved his life to Washington, D.C., more than 35 years ago. But while today he can often be found behind the wheel of a taxi, he also has returned to ...

Right: Hailu Mergia [Photo courtesy of the artist] For many people outside of the Habesha community, their first experience with Ethiopian music came from the soundtrack of a Bill Murray movie.

Hailu Mergia, a keyboard player and Ethiopian music star who lives in the U.S., will get you anywhere you need to go in our nation's capital.

With a new album, the now 71-year-old Hailu Mergia is having an unexpected resurgence. Once a music star in Ethiopia, Hailu Mergia moved his life to Washington, D.C., more than 35 years ago. But ...

Hailu Mergia 's journey began in the countryside in Ethiopia surrounded by sheep, goats and oxen. He was a shepherd when he was young.

Music like this has fascinated many listeners and the acclaimed series Ethiopiques, which has reached 29 volumes, speaks about the demand for Ethiopian sounds. There is still a lot of great music to ...

Hailu Mergia & the Walias Band were a huge influence on modern Ethiopian music. The group went on tour in the U.S. in 1981, performing mostly for Ethiopian refugees. However, they split after four ...

Awesome Tapes From Africa releases an Ethiopian obscurity from Hailu Mergia of the Wallias Band.

FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — When Hailu Mergia releases his album “Lala Belu” on Friday, it will be this Ethiopian piano luminary’s first collection of new music in two decades. And it will be ...