Every year now since 1999 the city of Chicago has been bringing artists from all over the globe to share their various musical traditions. Over the years we’ve heard everything from Mexico’s son jarocho, desert blues from Mali, the sounds of the Rom from Eastern Europe and much more.

The 2015 edition of World Music Fesitval Chicago is no different and once again Radio M is a big part of the fest with its now tradition of a live broadcast. So this time around we bring you the music of legendary Ethiopian musician Hailu Mergia live from Martyr’s in Chicago.

Hailu is part of a group of musicians that came to prominence in late 1960’s Ethiopia. from about 1966 to the late 1970’s Addis Ababa was a hot bed of popular and high danceable music and one of the most famous of the bands was the Walias, which hailu was a member. His main instrument is the accordion but he can also rock out on the keyboard and melodica.

He and the Walias band toured the US in the early 1980’s and many decided to stay, including Hailu. He took a job as a taxi driver at Washington D.C.’s airports and he still drives a cab today!  He was ‘rediscovered’ a couple of years ago and has since been playing out more than he ever has in the 22 years. So this live set is surely a treat. Enjoy.