Umar Zakaria ‘Fearless Music’ Quartet – 2018 Best Jazz Artist CD Release Tour

“If you are even vaguely curious about the state of New Zealand jazz then this is the album you need to hear.” -Graham Reid, Elsewhere.  

Umar Zakaria is a New Zealand bassist and composer filled with hope for the future. He was awarded Best Jazz Artist 2018 by Recorded Music New Zealand for his newly released debut album ‘Fearless Music’. The quartet will present compositions from the album as well as tunes inspired by Umar’s recent trips to Southeast Asia to connect with the music of his Malay heritage.

As a jazz bassist, Umar has performed in the United States, Europe and Asia as well as in New Zealand. Notably, he has performed with Bob Moses (US), Norio Maeda (Japan), Riduan Zalani (Singapore), Rob van Bavel (Netherlands), Snorre Kirk (Denmark), Magnus Hjorth (Sweden), Hagai Bilitzky (Israel), Steve Barry (NZ), and Myele Manzanza (NZ) among others. He is student of legendary bassists Lynn Seaton and Cecil McBee, and was awarded 2nd place at the BASS2014 International Jazz Bass Competition.

A graduate of the New Zealand School of Music and the New England Conservatory in Boston, his innovative compositions and arrangements finely tread traditional boundaries of genre and style. These have been performed and recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the New Zealand School of Music Big Band.

Umar’s music unites diverse musical traditions, particularly jazz improvisation and the music of the Malay Nusantara, in an effort to inspire communication and cooperation across ideological boundaries. Having developed a reputation for emotionally stirring performances, he now seeks to cultivate an international performance career in order to spread his message of consciousness in thought and feeling.

Umar Zakaria ‘Fearless Music’ Quartet
Featuring: Tyaan Singh (Alto Saxophone), Leonardo Coghini (Piano), Umar Zakaria (Bass), Luther Hunt (Drums)
Date/Time: Thur 27 September 2018, 8pm
Venue: Pyramid Club, Level, 272 Taranaki St.
Price: General $15, WJC members and Students with ID $8