Samir Zarif aka FKAjazz [search FKAjazz to find all music] is a Grammy-nominated, Billboard charting saxophonist & producer. Originally from Houston, Texas, the musician/producer/writer Samir Zarif aka FKAjazz “first began catching the attention of many when he moved to New Orleans, where he performed often with the likes of Ellis Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, and the Jason Marsalis Quintet,” as noted by Christian Wissmuller in JazzEd Magazine.  FKAjazz moved to New York in the early 2000s to attend the Manhattan School of Music garnering a decade of experience as a touring musician, music producer and for a short time, an Electronic Music Producer & DJ. Naturally, through this trajectory the artist evolved beyond the cliched expectations of what it means to be a “jazz musician.” Christian Wissmuller later states, "FKAjazz [is] moving jazz forward even further into new and exciting territories, incorporating elements of hip hop, traditional jazz, R&B, and other musical forms. However his perspective goes further than just adding modern elements to what may be perceived as traditional music. He made that clear in a recent live interview on BRIC TV’s B-Side by saying, “my goal is not to just pay homage to the foundation of jazz but to all Black American Music.” Therefore, to FKAjazz, his music is built on the foundations of jazz music and everything that came thereafter. A new scene of jazz musicians taking up the mantel as the producers and tastemakers for popular music around the world has slowly been on the rise since the early 2000s. Forerunners like Robert Glasper and Chris Dave who spent much of their early careers working with artists & producers such as D’Angelo, J Dilla, & The Roots, have increasingly sparked a new generation of musicians & producers. FKAjazz is without a doubt taking the reins as one of its new frontmen. FKAjazz, whose background is reflective of Glasper & Dave, is not only a fellow Houstonian but is also from the same performing arts high school, HSPVA. In a nutshell FKAjazz music can be characterized as Hiphop Jazz; not to be confused with Jazz Hiphop, the latter being Jazz influenced by Hiphop versus the other way around. “Growing up at the height of 90s Hiphop & R&B while simultaneously studying Jazz music gave me a perspective of the music many of my cohorts have used in different ways. As someone that has spent many years as both a jazz saxophonist & my own producer, I feel like I have the facility to bring something fresh to the table,” says FKAjazz. And that he has indeed. As United Press International stated, “[FKAjazz, a] triple threat Musician/Producer/Writer doesn't disappoint. This is clearly a man on a mission. He takes traditional jazz and twists into a force that is uniquely his own. He fearlessly plays with precision and a passion that takes you on a musical journey like no other. As promised, there is Greatness here."