Manwe

Manwë Sauls-AddisonWe’ve heard it all before: the dancer who wants to sing, the singer who wants to act, the actor who wants to sing and dance. For the fortunate few, transitioning from one art form to another is as easy as breathing: natural, simple, automatic.One knows this the moment they meet Manwë (pronounced MAN-way) Sauls-Addison. Named by his mother after a character in J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, “The Silmarillion,” Manwë means “blessed one” and “peace maker.” Both attributes describe this young entertainer in abundance.The New York-bred, dancer-turned-singer got his start in the business early—at birth. Check this out. Manwë’s mother, Bea Sauls, a dance teacher, broke water while teaching a ballet class. Five years later she put the precocious actor in one of her productions. The blessed one found his calling: art. He took dance classes, learned his craft, and rose to the top of his profession. His mantra: practice, practice, practice. Show up. Knock them all out.And he did. No doubt you’ve glimpsed him in popular videos by Destiny’s Child (“Lose My Breath”) and Tyrese (“I Like Them Girls.) Frankly, you can’t miss him. Manwë’s 6’0”, smooth chocolate-frame, and easy smile commands attention onstage or off. A muse to popular choreographers in the profession, Manwë has appeared on MTV, BET, and Saturday Night Live, where he spent a season as regular dancer.Manwë’s approach to music will definitely bring people together. “My music has an 80’s vibe, a throwback to, say, Morris Day and the Time,” says Manwë. Think synthesizers and drum machines wrapped in a Europop sensibility. His music moves to an uncommon beat. “What I do isn’t cookie-cutter. There’s no formula here and you can’t put me or it in a box,” he says. “What’s missing from today’s music is fun. And I plan to bring it.”Fun definitely drives, “Party Girl,” a bouncy, bass-heavy jam that’s sure to fill dance floors everywhere. Manwë’s vocal style is soft, seductive and solid. This multi-talent doesn’t bulldoze his way into this song—he whispers and teases. His tenor coaxes listeners effortlessly into aural bliss.Manwë feels there are stories missing from much of today’s music. “My background is unique. “I’m not from the hood,” he says. “I experienced a wealthy lifestyle as a child, and then when my parents divorced, my mother and I struggled to make ends meet. So, I’ve seen and experienced a great deal of life’s ups and downs.” Lyrically, he doesn’t kowtow to stereotypes. “I don’t act like or look like a thug. My music is fun and full of high energy, which has mass appeal.”After one look at his expansive resume as a dancer/choreographer, one would assume Manwë would be more inclined to follow trends. Consider this laundry list of mega-performers: Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, The Black-Eyed Peas, Destiny’s Child, Salt n Pepa. “It was my dream to dance with Michael Jackson, and I did it,” says Manwë. The young dancer appeared along with the King of Pop on a televised anniversary special in 2001, where Jackson celebrated his 30th year as a solo artist. Manwë danced in several numbers including “Beat It” and “Wanna Be Starting Something.”That was seven years ago. “After it was all over, I was like, well, I accomplished my dream. Now what?” It was time to live another dream. “All my life I’ve had one job, I was a dancer. Now, it’s time for me to sing.”The obvious question is why. Manwë says, “It was the logical step. I’ve danced all my life. I have the voice, the right music, and it’s the right time for me to make my mark/to do my thing. Why not me? I was born to be an entertainer.”Blessed one. Peace maker.Natural, simple, automatic. In his blood.
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