MAWWAL is a spirited acoustic/electric ensemble that performs original progressive music, beautiful trance-inducing world fusion and original arrangements of traditional Middle Eastern music in what has been called a "new genre" by Progression Magazine.
I have just released
SIGHT UP
In the works coming soon:
HIGH HILLS IN THE
CREAVING ROAD
on Ancient records
HELALISA
BELA SEHIDA
MAWWAL AT THE 2009 SOLARFEST IN VERMONT
(photo: Mike O’Brien) Jim Matus Jill O’Brien Joe O‘Brien Nur Habib Tiven
Throughout the Middle East "Mawwal" is a form of popular music that often criticizes society and is performed through improvisation.
Mawwal is guitarist/lutist/composer/vocalist Jim Matus, Joe O’Brien (bass), Jill O’Brien (vocals), Nur Habib (drums/percussion), plus a variety of traditional guest musicians and dancers. A rising star on the New England world music scene, Mawwal’s recent club appearances include engagements at Satalla, New York City’s leading world music venue, John Zorn's The Stone, NYC, Iron Horse in Northampton, MA., Cafe Nine in New Haven, CT, Deerfield Academy, Mehden recital Hall/Univ. of Conn, Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford, CT. The Buttonwood Tree in Middletown, Ct, Johnny D's and The Lizard Lounge in Boston, The Hilltown Folk series in Shelburne Falls MA, Solarfest 2006 in Vermont, The Loft in Brattleboro, Vt, The Space in Hamden, CT, Cafe, The Full Moon Coffeehouse in Wendell, Mass, The Bookmill in Montague, MA, Recent festival appearances include The Garlic and Arts Festival in Orange, MA, The Better World Festival, Northampton Mass, The Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven, Ct, The Project Troubadour Festival in Lakeville, Ct, Summer Wind’s “Hartford’s Rising Stars”, Mawwal recently performed live on WAMC's Preformance Place, a popular NPR music program.
