Jamil Sharif began playing music at the age of 14. Much of his influence came from his Father, the Late World Renowned Trumpeter Emery Humphrey Thompson (Umar Sharif).

His musical training began in New Orleans, Louisiana under the instruction of George Jansen, one of New Orleans finest music educators who was a former trumpeter with the New Orleans Symphony. Jansen is known for coaching such musical giants as Wynton Marsalis and Terence Blanchard.

Jamil’s enriched training and passion led him to being accepted into one of the South’s top facilities for in-depth learning of Music theory, history and technique, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), which is known for creating some of the worlds top musicians, such as Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick, Jr., Terence Blanchard, and actor Wendell Pierce. At NOCCA, Jamil studied with such notables as Ellis Marsalis. After completing NOCCA, he attended Southern University of New Orleans where he continued to study with Alvin Batiste, Roger Dickerson and Edward "Kidd" Jordan.

His extensive training afforded him to be a featured soloist with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, appeared on Aaron Neville's Christmas Special, "Reading Rainbow" with LeVar Burton. He served as the musical director for the play "Salty Dog" which premiered in Edinburgh, Scotland at the Queens Hall. He was also the musical director for the musical review, Bourbon Street Revue, which debuted in Laughlin Nevada, at the Colorado Belle Hotel and Casino.

Jamil’s musical accomplishments has afforded him the opportunity to embark upon several movie breaks where he and his music played a significant role: He appeared in the 1993 Action Adventure, "Hard Target", starring Jean-Claude Van Damme; the 1993 Comedy, "Undercover Blues", starring Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid. During the early 90s, his composition of Crescent City Strut from his 1993 Album "Portraits of New Orleans," was used for the USA Series, "The Big Easy;" He appeared in the 2002 Romance "The Home Front," featuring Tatum O’Neal; the 2002 Drama, "Sonny," directed by Nicholas Cage. Interesting enough, Jamil was approached by Cage to employ one of his original compositions on his 2000 Release Album "Jamillenium," entitled Vee Vee. Jamil’s latest performance was where he served as the musical coordinator and was characterized several times in the 2004 release of "Ray", a movie depicting the life of Twelve-time Grammy winner, Ray Charles – Directed by Taylor Hackford, featuring Jamie Foxx.

Jamil is the President of Umdah Music, which has produced 3 critically acclaimed albums, Portraits of New Orleans, which features Grammy Award Winner Dr. John, Jamillennium, and Shine, featuring Japanese vocalist, Midori Takamura.

This thought provoking, vivacious and mesmerizing musician carries with him a long line of musical heritage from as early as the mid 1800s. His father was a veteran trumpeter, having performed as Lead Trumpeter with such Broadway musicals as the "The Wiz" (1975), "Black and Blue" (1989), and New York’s very own, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Jamil’s great-grandfather was the legendary music teacher, who taught many musicians in New Orleans, as well as many of the south's musical legends. Born and raised in New Orleans, Jamil has performed, and recorded with some of the music industry's leading giants.

Jamil has played and recorded a variety of styles such as, Jazz, New Orleans Traditional Jazz, Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Swing, Reggae, Gospel, Funk, Pop, Latin, Big Band, Country & Western, Folk, and Classical.

He’s traveled extensively to various countries such as Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, England, Scotland, Finland, and France, entertaining a variety of audiences. He’s performed at the Newport Rhythm and Blues Festival, Essence Music Festival, Chicago Jazz Festival, Stockholm Jazz and Blues Festival, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Wynton Marsalis.
 

jamil@jamilsharif.com

Umdah Music, Inc. | P.O. Box 870192 | New Orleans, La | 70187-0192 |

Copyright © 2005 Umdah Music, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.