Hailu Mergia is a celebrated Ethiopian jazz keyboardist and accomplished accordionist. He gained fame in the early 1970s as the frontman of the Walias Band. Following the band's dissolution, he pursued a solo career, debuting with "Hailu Mergia and His Classical Instrument" in 1985. The album garnered critical acclaim upon its reissue in 2013, marking a turning point. Mergia continued to release acclaimed albums like "Lala Belu" in 2018, further cementing his status as a respected musician. His music intricately weaves Ethiopian melodies, jazz harmonies, and funk rhythms, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.