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Hailu Mergia

Hailu Mergia opens a window onto the working bands of Addis Ababa’s hotel circuit. While playing with the Walias at the Hilton, he also recorded Wede Harer Guzo with the Dahlak Band at the nearby Ghion Hotel, pursuing instrumental arrangements in a different ensemble.

Follow that cassette-era recording with Pioneer Works Swing (Live). The later trio pairs Mergia with bassist Alemseged Kebede and drummer Kenneth Joseph; it offers another setting for his keyboards, accordion and melodica, including performances of Tizita and Yegle Nesh.

A recording to start with

Wede Harer Guzo

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