Samir Zarif originally from Houston, TX, moved to New Orleans to study jazz performance & composition at the University of New Orleans (UNO) with film-scorer, Terrance Blanchard. In 2004, he migrated to New York attending the Manhattan School of Music (MSM) as a graduate student of Jazz Studies and saxophone performance. He then quickly integrated himself into the music scene as a saxophonist tour
ing throughout the United States, Canada & Europe in many noted bands and ensembles such as Miguel Zenon's Identities Big Band, the Hans Glawischnig Trio, Soulful Symphony and with Michael Olatuja performing at world-renowned venues and halls such as Carnegie Hall (NYC) and Bimhuis (Amsterdam). In Fall 2010, Zarif released his debut jazz album Starting Point which received positive attention from many jazz critics. Dan Bilawsky from All About Jazz pronounce Starting Point as "a brilliant, non-imitative pastiche of musical movements that are both at home and foreign to jazz." Recorded in 2009 and released in 2010, "Starting Point" is a clear illustration marking the direction of Samir Zarif's musical development. Although many of the tracks on the album truly have the mark of a well-versed jazz musician, what's more clear is the influences that go beyond the originated genre that make it unique and relevant. there is a definite rock influence reflective of 90's bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers. And, "Fear & Deception" swing back and forth between a hip-hop influence and free jazz. It is a departure from the normal expectations of what is considered jazz but simultaneously reflective of exactly what the traditions of jazz have always embodied; stretching from past, present and future. Well into an established career as a saxophonist, Zarif felt a need to explore music beyond the jazz world, understanding both the strength of having a background in improvised music as well as the limitations of solely understanding the genre from one viewpoint. This was a deep desire well before the release of "Starting Point" as indicated but only fully came to fruition afterwards. In 2009, he was commissioned to film-score a collection of short films by Donna Cameron, a noted trans-media artist, who later debuted their works at the Museum of Modern Art. The project ignited Zarif's passion for electronic music production, seeing a new spectrum of possibilities toward his love of composition and scoring. Soon after, Samir Zarif began working together with Brian Lindgren (electronic producer), eventually forming the electronic music production duo, Pax Humana in 2011. With Pax Humana, Zarif released 2 albums; A Matter of Heart (2012) and A New Frontier (2014). The production began doing film & commercial soundtracking for many major companies such as Fresh Direct & Cadbury and performed as DJ's at notable venues such as Webster Hall (New York City) & Verboten (Brooklyn). After a deep emersion into electronic production, Samir Zarif begin to instinctively integrate his love for electronic music back into his work as a saxophonist & composer and in early 2016 formed both FKAjazz (solo DJ & producing act) as well as a jazz electronic group, Humankindition, featuring Samir Zarif on saxes, synths & samples, James Quinlan on electric & synth bass, Arco Sandavol on piano & synth keyboards and Tommy Hartman on acoustic & spd drums.
