Samir Zarif's Voice-Overs, Featuring Maria Neckam at Bowery Poetry Club

Band members:
Maria Neckam - voice
Lars Dietrich - alto sax
Samir Zarif - tenor & soprano
John Escreet - piano
Aidan Carroll - bass
Greg Ritchie - drums


I have had the undeniable pleasure of connecting with many musicians that have touch my life and have effected my music in various ways. Lars Dietrich, alto saxophonist and dear friend, is definitely one of those people who have been a major influence on me. Through our growth together with our current band, the story, ( also Greg Ritchie, John Escreet, and Zack Lober), we have all been able to create something very special; music that has been appreciated in various parts of the United States, including New York and New Orleans as well as Canada, Holland, Germany, Austria, etc. One thing that is significantly different about this group verses the many other projects that I have created or helped create in the past is the introduction of voice to my music. It was only recently that I realized the strong connection the music I was writing had with the voice. Many time I would begin to be very frustrated, not knowing what was missing from my music; why the music I was writing rarely came to emulated what I was truly trying to convey. But through performing with Maria Neckam, developing our friendship and faith together, my ears finally opened and I began to hear the missing component to the music I had been writing for years. Interestingly enough, I have always put the voice in high esteem. Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha also revered the voice in high esteem stating, “the voice does the Buddha's work." (Lotus Sutra) I've always loved hearing these words and have interpreted them in my life in many way. Now more than ever, I wish to interpret this through the expressive way in which I am most versatile. I hope this music touches many people's hearts and I am successful at conveying the message that I most desire to share; WE ARE ALL EQUALLY IMPORTANT!!! Daisaku Ikeda stated, “We are all human beings. Each person's life is equally valuable and precious. Ordinary people who lead honest, decent lives are the true champions of our world."