Saalik Ziyad profile picture

Saalik Ziyad

"Don't play what's there, play what's not there."

About Me

Saalik A. Ziyad, a native of Chicago, is no stranger to performing. He began his singing career at age seven with the Chicago Children's Choir and under the choir's tutelage performed with Willie Pickens, Charlie Haden, Amina Claudine Myers, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (under the direction of Zubin Mehta and James Levine). As an up and coming member of the AACM, he embraces a broad aesthetic and has a huge range of influence. In leading the 5 After 7 Project, Saalik has brought together some of the best young talent in Chicago to play his unique arrangements and compositions.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 9/23/2005
Band Website: the5after7project.com
Band Members: The 5 after 7 Project

    Saalik Ziyad - vocals Fred Jackson Jr - saxophones Al Strong - trumpet Shaun Johnson - trumpet Norman Palm IV - trombone Willerm Delisfort - piano Tim Seisser - bass Shirazette Tinnin - drums and percussion Phil Fornett - drums and percussion
The Duo Project
    Saalik Ziyad - vocals Willerm Delisfort - piano
The Kilaas 4 Trio
    Saalik Ziyad - vocals Jonathan Gaska - guitar Jarriet Shiel - trumpet
Baba et Bir
    Saalik Ziyad - vocals Taalib-Din Ziyad - vocals and flute Willerm Delisfort - piano Dawi Williams - bass Shirazette Tinnin - drums and percussion
Improvisational Freedom Group
    Saalik Ziyad - vocals Khari B "Discopoet" - spoken word Phil Fornett - drums Art "Turk" Burton - congas
Epoch ZB
    Saalik Ziyad - vocals Taalib-Din Ziyad - vocals and flute Khari B "Discopoet" - spoken word Mwata Bowden - reeds and didgeridoo Willerm Delisfort - piano Tomeka Reed - cello Shirazette Tinnin - drums and percussion

Influences: John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Edward Wilkerson, Eddie Jefferson, Jon Hendricks, Betty Carter, Christian McBride, Dave Holland, Stevie Wonder, Kurt Elling, Kevin Mahogany, Dee Alexander, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby McFerrin, Cassandra Wilson, Ray Charles, Billy Eckstine
Sounds Like:
View Saalik Ziyad's 5 after 7 Project's EPK
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Getting ready to leave for Iowa

I'm getting ready to leave for the Iowa trip gig. I'm excited because this is my first gig on the 4th of July since I was in South Africa 12 years ago. Life is going pretty good. Just finished practic...
Posted by Saalik Ziyad on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:20:00 PST

A Milestone in 30

So today is my birthday and I am 30. I feel so blessed to have made it this far. I mean I'm free of disease, I don't have any kids. I'm doing what I love and life is beautiful right now. I was afraid ...
Posted by Saalik Ziyad on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:34:00 PST

It’s like that!

Read my VisualDNA--     Get your own VisualDNA--...
Posted by Saalik Ziyad on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:32:00 PST

IQ TEst, I didn’t even try


Posted by Saalik Ziyad on Sun, 23 Dec 2007 10:01:00 PST

MYSPACE LAYOUTS

I have decided that I'm tired of Myspace layouts and that until I find a better way of doing them I'm going to go back into the old fashioned way. Besides sometimes it's just to damn slow for other co...
Posted by Saalik Ziyad on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:55:00 PST

I am Spiderman

Your results:You are Spider-ManSpider-Man 95%Superman 65%Robin 55%Supergirl 45%The Flash 45%Wonder Woman 40%Hulk 30%Batman 25%Green Lantern 20%Catwoman 0%Iron Man 0%You are intelligent, witty, a bit g...
Posted by Saalik Ziyad on Wed, 23 May 2007 11:59:00 PST

Project for the next album

i have decided to do something different for my  next album. At first I was going to do some funk and neo soul stuff, but after my grandfather passed I have been in a different mood.So the next album ...
Posted by Saalik Ziyad on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 05:43:00 PST

My Grandfather, the Babe

I will truly miss you grandaddy. You were my best pal. You cared so much for me and other people in the world. I believe that you were put on this earth to be everybody's grandfather, friend and fathe...
Posted by Saalik Ziyad on Wed, 04 Apr 2007 06:15:00 PST

New Found Something and John Coltrane

Okay, right now as I type, I'm listening to the man JC the other JC. John Coltrane. The tune is Equinox. Today he would have been 80 years old. I'm going to talk about that a little later. Okay tonigh...
Posted by Saalik Ziyad on Sat, 23 Sep 2006 02:58:00 PST

Playing My Own Music

Wassup. I'm in a great mood! I just did thyis gig at this place called The Orphanage and it was the best time I had playing in a while. I realized that the more I do music the more I want to have my o...
Posted by Saalik Ziyad on Mon, 18 Sep 2006 10:41:00 PST