Mwalim's latest album, "Awakened By A Noon Day Sun" (LMMGM/ Spirit Wind Records, 2014) has been attracting the attention of jazz as well as Native American radio stations and formatted shows with his signature 'NDN Jazz' style. A Mashpee Wampanoag, Mwalim points to the melodic structure and style of Eastern Native American songs as a significant influence on his songwriting and composition. "Awakened By A Noon Day Sun" is a multi-level musical exploration. As an Afro- Native musician and composer (West Indian and Mashpee Wampanoag), Mwalim masterfully crafted NDN (Native American) influenced melodies and harmonic structures into jazz and funk. Mwalim's ten year-old son, Morgan, also contributed to the album, playing percussion on several of the songs (as well as serving as photographer for the projects promo pictures).
It was the 2013 NAMA that brought Mwalim to the attention of several Native American record labels, but it was the offer from Spirit Wind Records' CEO, Donald Blackfox that he accepted. "Mr Blackfox seemed to be the most supportive in regards to helping me cultivate my artistic vision for this and future projects." Including the debut album of NDN Soul-Funk band, The Groovalottos.
"Awakened By A Noon Day Sun" is the kind of album one would expect from an ethnographic folklorist and musicologist. Having attended powwows and native socials since infancy; listening to the various styles and forms of NDN music featured there. From the eastern styles sung with rattles and hand drums, to the western singers gathered around the big drums, to the various traditions of flute players. This along with the classical, jazz, opera, soul and calypso that were regularly played at home greatly influence his eclectic tastes and understanding of music.
While 'Melodic Storytelling' is a technique found in many cultures and forms -one of the most famous examples being Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf"- within the aesthetic of many Native American styles, the emulation of nature and the capturing of an experience or feeling in nature is what informs the song as well as a dance that might go with it. Here, Mwalim took us through a song-by-song discussion.
Mwalim is the 2010 and 2012 winner of the "Best Male Jazz Artist" category in the New England Urban Music Awards" and a multi-category Top Nominee in the 2013 and 2010 Native American Music Awards. In January 2014, Mwalim was a recipient of the "Silver Arrow Award". "Awakened By A Noon Day Sun" will be released in February of 20014 on Spirit Wind Records. Mwalim is a tenured professor at UMass Dartmouth. For more information check www.spiritwindrecords.us. For more information about Mwalim visit www.mwalim.com or check him out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mwalim7.
