Solo Acoustic Guitarist who's percussive / tapping style can make music on it's own that 3 other guitarists couldn't produce in a collaborative effort.

8 MP3 Songs in this album (29:57) !
Related styles: Folk: Fingerstyle, Rock: Acoustic, Solo Instrumental

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Details:
Maneli Jamal is a solo acoustic guitarist, whose unique style of playing and ability to connect with his audience transcends the age, culture and generational boundaries that limit the majority of mainstream music found today. Having dedicated himself to the exploration of acoustic guitar technique, Maneli has developed his own sound. Folk, Flamenco, and Persian modes combine with his own percussive technique creating a rich and unique voice on the guitar. Maneli has lived in 4 different countries and moved over twenty times by the time he was 18 and has let his experiences around the world influence the way he speaks with the guitar.

Born in Iran and raised in Germany, Jamal moved to the States in his adolescence, immigrating to Minnesota before relocating to Austin, Texas until his late teens. At this time, his family was issued a deportation letter by the immigration office, and he was forced to move to Canada within thirty days of receiving the notice.

Taking only what they could fit in their hands, Jamal and his family arrived in Toronto after establishing their lives in Austin. It was at this time that Maneli got an acoustic guitar from his father, which has scarcely left his hands since.

âI carried it on the plane, and everywhere I went, I had it,â Jamal recalls. âFor half a year, we only had what we had in our hands, and I had the acoustic guitar in my hands. Going through something like that, as a teenager especially, you need an outlet that can take you away from life and zone you out. Thatâs what the acoustic guitar did for me.â

Jamal had played in punk and metal bands throughout his teens, so he was no stranger to the six-string. However, acoustic guitar held new secrets for him to discover, and thus began his exploration of the virtuosic style heâs since mastered. Utilizing a mix of classical, flamenco and percussive playing, Jamal composes unique movements which are far outside the realm of traditional songwriting.

âWhen I came [to Toronto], I was very into classical playing, but after a while I got tired of the practicing and trying to master a technique. I got out of that whole thing and tried to master melody and rhythm as opposed to trying to master the technicality of things. Iâm not a fluid player, but thatâs what I think makes music art, that imperfect playing.â

An interesting aspect of his compositions is that they contain no lyrics. This presents a challenge in terms of how to grasp the listener â especially when you consider all of the songs on his upcoming album were recorded with just one guitar track.

He admits that his style is hard to explain to listeners who havenât seen or heard him before, but instead of only listening to his songs, he insists that those interested go see him perform live to get the full effect of the music.

AWARDS:
1st Place - 2010 Taylor Guitars Showdown Winner.
1st Place - 2010 Toronto Indie Week Oct 15 showcase winner.
1st Place - 2009 YouTube Acoustic Guitar Competition for Faith Guitars
1st Place - 2008 Toronto's Writers Co-Op / Musical Performance Competition.
2nd Place - 2008 Toronto's Wide Open Music Competition
2010 - Featured on BBC Persia Television Program Kook