Samir Zarif

Samir Zarif was born in Houston, TX. His musical studies began with the violin @ age 4; mainly influenced by my mother, Linda M. Zarif, a classical pianist and choral singer and my sister Tahirah Whittington (cellist). By the age of 10, Samir began studies on the alto saxophone and later switched to tenor and soprano saxophone. Samir Zarif's development in jazz music started during his enrollment @ the High School for Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). Later, he attended the University of New Orleans where he had the privilege of studying with Terrance Blanchard, Harold Battiste, Ellis Marsalis and many others. During Samirss stay in New Orleans, he performed and recorded with musicians and groups like Jason Marsalis, Roland Guerin, Nick Payton, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Irvin Mayfield, Aaron Neville, Jill Scott, James Westfall, etc. After leaving New Orleans, Mr. Zarif enrolled @ Manhattan School of Music where he received a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance. During that time, he began playing in many groups and in that, help develop the group "The Paislies" and also "The Story". "The Paislies," a sextet consisting of Paul Wiltgen (drums), Perry Wortman (bass), Miro Sprague (piano), Eliot Cardinaux (nord), Jesse Lewis (guitar), and myself, released its debut CD in September 2007 on Fresh Sounds New Talent Record Label. "The Story's" is an ensemble consisting of himself with Lars Dietrich (alto), John Escreet (piano), Zack Lober (bass), and Greg Ritchie (drums). "The Story" is currently performing in many venues in the New York City area as well as in Canada and Europe. They are also set to record their debut CD in September 2008.