Maneli Jamal

Acoustic guitarist and composer Maneli Jamal has lived in five different countries (Iran, Belarus, Germany, USA, Canada) and moved twenty times by the time he was 18. The young artist gained a sense of musical maturity rarely seen among his peers especially when he transforms his nomadic life experiences into musical movements using extended guitar techniques. There aren't many players in his style that have Jamal's balance of power and sensitivity, nor his breadth of ideas. His rhythmic concepts can be alternately short and dense, or explored carefully through several movements and real life stories. This becomes evident with having won countless music competitions around the world including most recently placing 1st at Canada's Soundclash Music Awards. Having been brought up in a purely artistic and musical family has contributed to shape his unique story telling approach. He has performed all over the world including tours in USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Europe and Africa.
Press
"Having released his first albums on CandyRat Records, Jamal struck out on his own in 2012 with The Lamaj Movement, a collection that showcases his Iranian heritage as well as the astonishing tone and dexterity that sets him apart from other fingerstylists." -Acoustic Guitar Magazine
"Each song is a story, the technical wizardry kept to what’s necessary for that tune. He chooses to unfold his mastery of the instrument over the course of a set rather than pack a thousand notes into one or two tunes and reuse tricks all night." -Orillia Packet, John Swartz
"It is difficult to write about a talented musician and we have to say Maneli’s live performance is amazing. The way he played and communicated with the audience was fabulous. We did not hear any mistakes during the show which is not quite possible during live performances." -Deary Music
Awards
1st place - 2014 Harbourfront Centre's Soundclash Music Awards (Canada)
2nd place - 2014 Lee Ritenour’s Six String Theory Competition - Acoustic Guitar Category
1st place - 2013 Best Guitarist Award for Indie Week Festival (Canada)
1st place - 2013 Beaches International Jazz Festival Hennessy Contest (Canada)
1st place - 2012 “Awakening” Best Recording AES Convention by Pouya Hamidi (worldwide)
3rd place - 2011 Guitar Idol III held in London, UK (worldwide)
1st place - 2010 Taylor Acoustic Guitars Showdown (worldwide)
1st place - 2009 Faith Acoustic Guitars Competition (worldwide)
Other Accomplishments
2015 Cole Clark Guitar Maneli Jamal Signature Model AN2EC-MJ
2015 Front cover of Toronto Tourism Magazine. 500,000 copies distributed worldwide
2014 Front cover of Italian Guitar Magazine Acusitca Chittara
2014 Named "30 best guitarst under 30" by Acoustic Guitar Magazine