Wil Mataolin Coffey

Wil Mataolin Coffey, stage-name Panda, is an American/New Zealand singer/songwriter and guitarist. He currently lives in Karamea, New Zealand where he emigrated in 2003.
Panda plays primarily acoustic guitar and styles his fingerstyle & percussive guitar method, in addition to a blend of rhythm & bending vibrato of the guitar neck, similar to the effect of a tremolo.
History
When this artist was born, he was given his traditional Christian name by his family, Wil and additionally given the name Mataolin by a native-American shaman. Loosely translated it means "one of great spirit". He attended Schalmont High School in Rotterdam, New York and graduated in 1987.
In his formative years he toured as a "Deadhead" following the American jam band, The Grateful Dead during their Shakedown Street and Mega-Dead periods. It was during this time that Panda was exposed and influenced by a unique blend of different styles of music. In two and a half years he was performing before live audiences and "somewhere along the way, he picked up a soulful bag of vocal supplies along with some funky growls and a wailing, blues gristle in place of the standard S.N.A.G. (Sensitive New Age Guy) balladeer persona", in addition to his "wordless African-style vocals that sound similar to Salif Keita". After a few years of performing and touring the United States, Panda released hs first album "The Prince and The Fool".
Upon continuing on the success of "The Prince & The Fool (1997)" and during the releases of the following albums, "Bear Feat (1999)" & "Do You Remember (2000)", Panda toured extensively around North America & Oceania and he has had the opportunity to play on the same stage with acts such as Taj Mahal, CCR, The Wailers, Tuck & Patti, Michael Hedges, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, David Grisman Quintet, Casamar.
After a brief hiatus from the recording scene he has released his current album titled, "Life, Death & All That Lies Between (2008)". It is themed and based on his experiences of emigrating to New Zealand, becoming a father and a having a successful music career Down Under, which he is currently touring New Zealand, the European Union and the United States in support of its release.
Discography
* Life, Death & All That Lies Between - (Take-A-Peak Productions - 2008)
:"Most of these tracks on were recorded in Te Puke, New Zealand in a week at Eieio Studios. A few spontaneous musicians came in and laid down some improv backing and solos for the CD. All of this was to produce some magic tracks to prepare for his very successful tour of Europe." This album's popularity is reflected in the Amplifier NZ Adult Contemporary charts, where "Maybe Tonight" the first single from this release has spent over 2 months in the Top 10 and 6 weeks at number one.
* Do You Remember - (Take-A-Peak Productions - 2000)
:"The product of two days of jam sessions with five other talented musicians over at Santa Fe Studios, Reno, NV and mastered by Blake Beeman at the new Byrd House Studios. The quality of the jam, Panda believed strongly, exceeded all of our expectations and brought forth ten well interpreted originals. Also, he has added on three more songs (from a live solo performance). Joining creative forces with the other musicians was not only a fantastic treat; it also provided many wonderful opportunities for learning and evolving."
* Bear Feat - (Take-A-Peak Productions - 1999)
:"Recorded by Blake Beeman at Quantum Kitchen studio: (home of Blue Tree Records). This album is full of new original stuff (plus a very sweet version of James Taylor's Sweet Baby James) and was recorded live in the studio without any additional instrumentation other than his guitar and vocals. The relaxed kitchen environment, complemented by a few lounging dogs, plus the "live" recording process, has given this CD a nice natural, folksy sort of mellowness. "
* The Prince & The Fool - (Take-A-Peak Productions - 1997)
:"Recorded at Damon Golds` Gript Productions studio in the fall of 1997. The bulk of the album was recorded in three days, and a few wonderful musicians dropped in over that time period to share their creativity, and in doing so, helped to create a very nice first CD. Eleven original compositions lie within this jewel, giving the listener a broad overview of his formative years."
Recent Events
1 August 2009
Amplifier New Zealand chart status
Adult Contemporary - #1 for the past 7 weeks with the single "Maybe Tonight" (6 singles currently in the Top 10)
Blues - # 1 for the past 3 weeks (7 singles currently in the Top 10)
Pop - 2 singles currently in the Top 10
Alternative/Indie - 1 single currently in the Top 10
Soul/Funk - 2 singles currently in the Top 10
Jazz - 1 single currently in the Top 10
Country/Folk - 1 single currently in the Top 10
World Music - 5 singles currently in the Top 10
ReverbNation chart status
Overall #1 NZ national folk artist at Folk charts for the past 3 weeks.
Charting #35 in the Overall New Zealand artists

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