FAR OFF SOUNDS - Hailu Mergia Takes Off
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- Опубліковано 5 січ 2014
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Hailu Mergia was the leader of one of the biggest jazz funk bands in Ethiopia in the 1970′s. His band, The Walias Band, reached the pinnacle of success in Ethiopia, eventually being invited to play for the president. Their sound, a mixture of traditional Ethiopian melodies and American-inspired jazz and funk, struck a chord with Ethiopians across the spectrum. Having achieved celebrity status in his home country, Hailu wanted his band to grow. He arranged a U.S. tour for the Walias band, hoping to find international success. The tour did not match his vision of quick American success, and, met mostly with indifference in the States, the band fizzled.
Hailu decided to stay in Washington DC, where they had originally landed in the States. And there he has remained. More recently, Hailu Mergia has been driving a taxi, shuttling visitors from the airport to their hotels and houses. What most of his passengers don't know is that the friendly Ethiopian chatting with them about the weather or the Washington Monument has a full-sized electronic keyboard stashed away in his trunk, and when he's waiting for customers, he sits in the back seat and practices. He has practiced every day since he came to the United States, not necessarily out of a nostalgia for lost glory, but because his love for music is at the level of a vital need. He cannot go a day without playing.
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I am addicted to his music. It helped me during the pandemic.
I have his album Wede Harer Guzo on vinyl and it's one of the most special albums in my collection. Simply beautiful music. People like this are treasure
Wow, its An Audiovisual Masterpiece!..I Enjoyed It Very Much.
OMG...I used to stop by this park on my bicycle every morning going to work from my apartment in Arlandria to NE Washington just northeast of the Capitol. That was in 1972. I was 24, and I knew some Ethiopians mostly from the embassy. But I never heard Hailu's music until tonight after I saw a PBS clip on him. Oh I thank God's grace for finding this man who I now can hear from the desert in southern Arizona.
I hope to meet you someday, Hailu. I drove a cab too, all around Chicago and to the north during the late 60s to 1971, and I lived in DC from 1962 to 1980 except for my time at college.
That park was so peaceful to me, and even though it was in the landing and takeoff path to National Airport, it was so wonderful. I often brought my harmonica/harp. I'm so glad it is still there! And glad you are there too!
That bit about 3:30 in when he opens the globe. Phoaw, so so cool. Touch of class sir, a major touch of class.
He's music brings me so much joy and lightness in being. what a humble man and walking earth angel.
Hailu. Although I was a child at the WALIAS era, I still have most of your pieces in mind and I am very familiar with your music. I am very thrilled to see you again in this piece of introductory video. I appreciate Far Off Sounds to post this piece of history. I hope I will see you playing again somewhere in the near future.
God he is so incredible. Just a gift. Hoping to see him play in Seattle this year.
his music is powerful, heals the soul.
I don't have words to express what I feel, am so so happy for the legend Hilu Mergea!
The legend !!! when i listing this music i remembered my childhood.
Wonderful
Brilliant introduction to this living legend! When he's not driving his taxi he's touring the world with an amazing band, I saw him recently playing for a crowd of a couple thousand on an open-air stage in Barcelona during the city-wide fiestas... epic sound!!!
I love you Hailu. I listened to your version of embwa bey lamitu when I had a DMT trip and it changed my life. I listened to your music and discovered ethiopian music as I found my son. The depth of this music to me is indescribable. So much soul.
do u still listen to ethiopian music?
Thank You for this short introduction to an Ethiopian legend.
I was growing listening to his music as well as the music of other artists living at that time. I have a good memory of his instrumental music in the 1970's when I was a high school student. All his instrumental music were lovely. I wish he hadn't stopped music. Anyway, long live Hailu!!
unbelievable! i got emotive to see how beautiful a person can be.. god save the music and ethiopia!
Nice video, love his music ❤
What a legend. It would be crazy to get picked up at the airport by this guy.
this is such a cool mini doc! Love Hailu Mergia's music. Great channel, I have subscribed!
this just made the songs so much better
What a legend 🐐🐐🐐
Great music
Incredible, huh?
a shame that men who worked as hard as mr mergia have to resort to driving taxis in their later years. if only the country he lives in had the same respect for artistic innovation
Thank ato hailu my brother friend
this is wonderful!
beautiful
❤💛💚
Thank u so much sir!
I'll go ahead and add this to my inspirational videos. Thanks so much for this!!!!
Bast
Absolutely awesome!!
Great job guys!
We Ethioipa loves you.
awesome!
Legend
true legend
Awesome video. Instead sub. Love this guy. What a legend. Tremendous music.
This is beautiful 💥💥💥✅
Caramba, que foda cara!
🧡
🥺
እንዴት እንደምወድህ
🌸🌸🌸💜💜💜🦋🦋🦋
ቃላት:ያጥረኛል:አንተን:ለመግለጶ!!!!!!!!
We want to dwonlod
Is the name Hailu Amharic name?
Yes, root word Hail, translated as “power” and Hailu could be translated as “His power”, referring to God’s power.
We want to do8