(headline image: Don Ross and Julie Malia – Photo by Max Bollow)
Canadian fingerstyle pioneer Don Ross and German guitarist-vocalist Julie Malia (aka Jule Malischke) have released “Wave From Your Window,” a new collaborative single that blends intricate acoustic interplay with atmospheric vocal harmonies.
Originally composed by Ross in 1997 during a stay in Berlin, the piece was inspired by a woman he observed across a courtyard. Her brief wave gave the instrumental its title. For this updated version, Malia learned Ross’s original guitar part, enabling him to craft a contrapuntal accompaniment. Their arrangement transforms the composition into a musical dialogue, enhanced by wordless vocal lines that function as instrumental textures.
Ross, a two-time U.S. National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, is widely regarded for his innovative techniques and genre-crossing work. With over 20 albums and collaborations with artists like Bruce Cockburn and Michael Manring, he has also composed for film and video games.
Malia brings a complementary skill set. A classically trained guitarist and vocalist, she has been recognized with a 2024 German Record Critics’ Prize nomination and currently teaches at the Carl Maria von Weber University of Music in Dresden. Her solo career spans major European festivals and a repertoire that merges classical, fingerstyle, and contemporary songwriting.
Their collaboration reflects both technical precision and creative rapport. As Ross notes, “Julie is such a fine guitar player that she learned my original part of the piece very quickly, which allowed me the freedom of coming up with the second part to complement what she was doing. It really nicely sums up the nature of our collaboration. It’s based on mutual respect as musicians, as well as what has become a very deep friendship.”
Author: World Music Central News Room
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