Zahira

Zahira has been performing with several bands throughout the East and West Coasts of the USA and has an undoubtedly refined understanding of her vocal capabilities, which magically range far and wide. Her creative ear has made her very passionate towards creating unique and original soul shaking harmonies.  

Over the years Zahira has been fully exploring all of the healing aspects of music and uses it as a therapeutic tool in many different ways to help others. Her passionate study of Indian & Arabic music has influenced great diversity in her vocal style. Zahira’s vocals come from deep place within her heart and you can surely feel it. Her style combines world sounds with the deep roots of the blues. 

Zahira has a lot of experience singing African chants and playing simple hand percussion with African Drum ensembles. In Hawaii she sang with a top percussion group called ‘Baraba Jaba’. This band features live percussion music from around the World with the Big Islands’ top percussionists. Baraba-Jaba is World Dance Music with Drum and Songs from Africa, India, Brazil, Cuba and Haiti. Their new CD is available at: www.myspace.com/barabajaba 

Zahira facilitates devotional Kirtans and music sharing circles where everyone can join in and express themselves musically. The lyrics sung are in Sanskrit, Arabic or Hindi. In this setting Zahira teaches traditional and original compositions to the circle through call and response chanting. 

Zahira can sit in with just about anyone and improvise on the spot. She effortlessly channels the right vocal harmonies, melodies and words that come to her in the moment. Her biggest passion is improvisation and it shows in her outstanding scatting skills. She also has experience improvising vocals for film soundtracks. 

Zahira is a very quick learner and in very short time can learn composed vocal harmonies and melodies for choral/A capella arrangements, jazz standards, commercials, back-up singing and film-work.

Mike Scartazina: Percussion

Mike has dedicated himself to the art and spirit of music as a Percussionist, Capoerista and Vocalist for 10 years. He has played with an enclave of local and world renowned musicians. He has shared the stage with original members of Brazil’s Ile Iye, Jah Levi, Rocker T, MJ Greenmountain, Arjun and Guardians, Sambada, Jennifer Johns, Tambores du Brasil Toured with Albino July 2009, Cubahia with Micheal Spirol and George Alabe.

Kevin Njikam: Keys & Guitar

Waves are the language of the universe. It’s the way in which solar bodies communicate with each other and with us. It’s the way we communicate with each other, our environment, and how our environment communicates with us. Basically everything in existance exists or at least started as a wave or vibration. When a waves moves enough air we call it sound or music. All thoughts, feelings, and emotions exist in the medium of waves. Therefore, keeping in the original medium of creation makes music the purest language. That’s why I do it! ( …or at least part of why)

INSTRUMENTATION:

The following instruments can be heard in a Devotional Heart-song Setting: 

Tamboura, shruti box, acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, misc. wind instruments, singing bowls, call and response singing/harmonies, didgeridoo, harmonium, tablas, chimes, bells,various world hand percussion and stringed instruments.

The following instruments can appear with Full Band:

Electric & acoustic guitar/bass/keys, tamboura, looping pedals, various horn/wind/stringed instruments, lead & harmony vocals, dj & turntables, hand percussion & kit drums.

Some festivals Zahira has played at:

• Dreamtime Festival (Colorado)
• Summer Of Love Festival (California)
• Annual Hoot (Colorado)
• Mystic Garden Party (Hawaii, Oregon)
• Raw Spirit Festival (Arizona, California)
• Common Vision (California)
• Mendocino Living Culture Festival (California)
• Harmony Festival (California)

Vocals for Films:

• Little Men Studio (Connecticut)