Zahira

‘Zahira Soul’ is a powerhouse Canadian vocalist who is globally known through her tours and performances abroad and on the East & West Coasts of the USA. Each note she sings comes from a very unique place that creates a sound like no other. Zahira 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-origional soul shaking melodies and harmonies that define her own signature sound. Her enchanting range goes from smooth angelic high notes to the deep resonating low tones of the earth. She captures the sultry sound of the wind as well as the firey expression of activated soul power!

When you watch her perform you can personally feel the emotion and energy of the songs that she has written, which have a very profound impact on listeners who are willing to receive. Vocal improvisation is one of Zahira’s greatest joys for she loves to channel melodies and lyrics spontaneously to give diversity and current flavor to all of her performances. You can feel her heart through her expression and when she sings and dances freely she shows all of herself humbly to melt down the walls of fear and conditioning of society. Zahira Soul radiates pure light and positive energy on stage and will bring you on a journey of joy, celebration, peace, depth, healing, self-love, unity and much more. I have heard no voice like hers but to give you an idea, some say her stylistic tone is a mix between Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Erykah Badu, Sheila Chandra, Norah Jones and Stevie Wonder.

Beyond performing, 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 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 CD is available at: www.myspace.com/barabajaba

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.

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:

• Healing Music Festival (Israel)
• NORML (California)
• 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)