Cloud9: How Jazz Promotes Oneness | An Interview with Mtali Shaka Banda

Cloud9 is a podcast produced by Baha’i Teachings. Its aim is to feature interviews with artists and discuss what inspires them to make a positive contribution to the world. In this episode, Baha’i Teachings’ arts editor Shadi Toloui-Wallace interviews Mtali Shaka Banda, a musician, educator and social justice advocate based in Massachusetts (USA). Mtali’s father is a Malawian Christian, and his mother is an African American Baha’i, which launched Mtali on a journey of self discovery at an early age, exploring the intersection of jazz, justice and the African diaspora. 

In Cloud9’s interview, Mtali opens up about his own spiritual journey and how it has impacted his outlook on life and his ambitions as an individual, artist and social justice advocate. Inspired by his own quest for self discovery and identity, Mtali shares how he has landed in the education system, working with children and youth, teaching music in conjunction with social justice and advocacy.

If you enjoy this podcast, you might also like the Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson. You can listen to them here on Baha’i Blog.

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Naysan Naraqi

Naysan is passionate about using the arts and media to explore the teachings of the Baha’i Faith. Back in 2011, Naysan started up the Baha’i Blog project, channeling his experiences in both media and technology companies to help create a hub for Baha’i-inspired content online.