I enjoy almost all genres of music and I consider myself to be pretty open-minded when it comes to music. I grew up on Rap, Hip Hop, and R&B from the 90’s and 2000’s. Jazz music has never been really my cup of tea but I certainly appreciate it. I’ll listen to it but won’t go out of my way to seek it.
A few months back, I was looking up some throw back songs from Usher on YouTube when I accidentally came across a few versions of Usher’s song ‘Nice and Slow’ done in a “saxophone version”. It kind of caught me off guard to see that and I decided to check the songs out because I always wanted to learn to play the Saxophone. In my mind, the Saxophone seems like the perfect instrument to sweep a girl off their feet. A few of the versions of that song were pretty bloody good and two artists really stood out. One of those artists is saxophonist, Jafar Idris. After checking out his songs and enjoying much of his work, I decided to contact him and throw some questions his way.
That first song I heard from Jafar Iris: Usher – Nice and Slow
Unfinished Man: Jafar Idris, why don’t you tell our readers a little about yourself and when you started playing the Saxophone?
Jafar Idris: Well for starters, most people wonder where I’m from because of my name. It is Egyptian. My folks are from overseas but I am a product of the States. I was born and raised in Gary, Indiana… a city that may sound familiar to Michael Jackson fans. I am the youngest of my parents’ 9 children.. 8 sons and only 1 daughter. I have the twin brother but he’s the older twin (chuckle). I’m really into fitness and martial arts. I’m somewhat of a health conscious eater as well. My favorite cuisine is Italian, my favorite color is black, my favorite movies are the Bourne trilogy. I’m somewhat of a romance enthusiast and a pretty big freak, sexually. (HAHA!) I first began playing the saxophone when I was 10, and kinda fell into it by accident when I wandered into my junior high school’s band room. I was actually looking for the orchestra room because I wanted to play the violin. But it all began there. I decided to start something totally new, not only to me but to my family in general. Nobody else was really into music like that. But I took the leap and to my surprise, I was a natural.
UM: Before we go any further, is the Saxophone a pretty good way to get to a girls heart?
Jafar: It goes without saying that the saxophone is pretty much the sexiest instrument known to exist. To that effect, I can contend that it does seem to possess subtle traces of mind control, if in the right hands of course. I seem to garner the attention of the female ear (and eye) as a whole. I’ve seen senior citizens express just as much excitement as preteens when seeing me perform. So to answer that question with two simple words… hell yes!
UM: In your case, if the Saxophone doesn’t work, I’m sure your 16-pack abs also might help. So, you’re also a model as well? When did you get into modeling?
Jafar: (HAHA!) Well I will admit that they do help! I’ve always been sort of a fitness junkie and when I decided to get serious about my artistry I decided to use my… assets… as part of my marketing strategy. Due to the fact that I’m so young and I market myself the way I do, I can confidently say that nobody does what I do quite like I do it. And it certainly does help to have a hand in more than one thing as an entertainer. A foot in the door of the entertainment industry is significant whether it’s the front door, the side door, the back door, or even through a window. But I got my first modeling gig when I was a freshman at Duke University. I was scouted at the mall one afternoon and I still don’t get it to this day actually. I was this 6 ft. 4 in. lanky kid with an awkward walk wearing jeans, a fitted t-shirt, and sandals. Apparently, I was exactly what this particular agent was looking for.
UM: Do you play any other instruments besides the Saxophone?
Jafar: I do play the piano as well. But I only use it mainly for chords and developing melodies when I’m writing or for reference when I’m singing. I don’t perform as a pianist.
UM: Walk us through how you are able to put an artist’s lyrics into music through the saxophone. Do you use sheet music?
Jafar: It is a fact that the saxophone, tenor sax in particular, is the closest instrument to a human voice. And as a saxophone player, part of my personal style is to “sing through my horn”. I did learn in school initially, but I’m majorly self-taught, especially it comes to the style of player I am nowadays. I eventually taught myself to play by ear. If I can hear it, then I can play it. Whenever I record a cover I typically do not even know the song by heart (HAHA!). I’m actually listening to the original song in the session and then regurgitating what I hear, with my own personal spin added to it of course. I don’t use sheet music of any kind, which is a common question among my fans and each time I disappoint them. I don’t use it, and I don’t write it.
UM: Just by listening to a new song, how long would it take you to play along with a Saxophone?
Jafar: As I said, I can pretty much mimic whatever I hear right on the spot, as long as it’s not too complicated. If that’s the case, it would take a few listens for my brain to process what I’m hearing in order to reproduce it exactly. But even so… that never usually takes long at all.
UM: How often do you practice per week?
Jafar: I practice anywhere from one to five hours a day depending on my mood and/or the workload (as far as gigs are concerned) I personally need to play or sing something to get me through the day or I will have this inexplicable “constricted” feeling all day. But the important thing is to get SOME time in, period. Anything helps. Whether you’re a musician, singer, dancer, writer, painter, etc. Anytime spent working on your craft leads to growth. Practice really does make perfect.
UM: Do you teach music on the side?
Jafar: I’m literally approached daily about offers to take on students. But the reality is that no matter how much I improve as an artist, I often feel like there’s still so much more out there for me to learn. And even though I have many admirers who would disagree, I feel like it would be a bit arrogant for me to say I’m worthy enough to teach someone, even if it’s just the basics. But I’d gladly offer advice and insight to push them in the right direction.
UM: I noticed a lot of cover songs that you’ve done. Do you also perform your own songs?
Jafar: Oh absolutely! At the moment, the only place where my original songs are heard is on the stage. I perform my work live. Other than that, I offer covers online and digitally to garner the attention of the fans of those particular genres of music. Those markets are much larger than the “smooth jazz” market itself. So by introducing myself this way first, I can later present my own work and my younger and/or more mainstream listeners will still get it. So far it’s been working pretty well so I’ll keep it up for a bit longer (haha!)
UM: You also sing, correct?
Jafar: I do sing, yes. My style can best be described as Jazz flavored R&B with strong Pop overtones (chuckle). But I’ve been withholding that from my internet audience at the moment as another part of my marketing strategy as well. As an artist, I want my followers to take my instrumental ability just as seriously as my vocal ability. So I put that out there first, and am seeing just how much attention I can get with just my sax alone. Once I work my vocal tracks into the mix after a while, I don’t doubt that they will be a success not only due to their quality but also because I’m a serious “ambidextrous” artist. I think people will appreciate the skill it takes to accomplish that.
Jafar performing “His Eye is On The Sparrow” (Saxophone Version)
UM: Are you currently signed to a label? If not, are you looking to catch the attention a big player in the music industry?
Jafar: Right now I am independent, and although I have attracted the attention of everyone from the general public to industry level producers, I am not necessarily courting any record labels just yet. I’m a person who believes in the importance of quality and I find that a big issue with artists of the past and present is eagerness and impatience. Opportunity comes to people more often than one might think. The difference between those who make it and those who don’t is how prepared you are when it comes. Spending all your time just chasing a record deal instead of seriously focusing on perfecting your particular craft is bad business. But my time is coming, and it’s coming soon.
UM: Do you have a Mixtape or Album available for fans? And any plans for a release of a new Album in the near future?
Jafar: Aside from all the covers and an original track or two, there is nothing available to the public just yet. But I’m releasing an official album in late spring-early summer of next year. I can’t tell you how excited I am about this project. My listeners will have the opportunity to hear, and even see, the full character of Jafar Idris in full force for the first time. There are a few surprises in store including some long-awaited vocal tracks. It is gonna be something truly special.
UM: Which artists have influenced your music in terms of both singing and playing instruments?
Jafar: My vocal influences include Luther Vandross, Maxi Priest, Al Green, Maxwell, Eric Benét, Bob Marley and others. My saxophone influences include Sonny Rollins, Gerald Albright, Dexter Gordon, Kirk Whalum, Kenny Garret, and Grover Washington Jr among dozens of others. But as a singer who plays the saxophone, or a saxophonist who sings… whichever way you wish to view it, everything sort of intertwines. See, I’m a singer who scats. And I often find myself treating my voice as an actual instrument, and like I said earlier, “singing” through my horn also. So each influence has contributed to both aspects of my artistry in some way.
UM: For those that don’t know anything about Saxophones, like myself. Are all Saxophones the same? Or are there different versions of this instrument?
Jafar: There are indeed different versions or “voices” of the saxophone. The smaller it is, the higher its natural range. And the larger it is, the lower its natural range. The four main saxophones that make up the common family are soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone… from highest to lowest. There are higher versions than soprano and lower versions than baritone but they aren’t typically used very often at all, especially in popular music.
UM: Which brand do you use and can they be pretty pricey?
Jafar: (chuckle) This is also a very popular question of my fans and admirers! I typically don’t disclose my “setup”, as instrumentalists call it, due to the fact that a person’s sound is what makes them who they are and once you find that sound, your own individual signature, you don’t want it to be copied. I will say that my alto is the coveted Selmer Mark VI, circa 1964, and it’s valued anywhere between six or seven thousand. My tenor is custom made and valued at about $5300.
UM: What are the challenges of getting your name out there in your industry?
Jafar: With interest in being a part of the industry at an all-time high, the market is just saturated with hopefuls. As a result, it can be quite difficult getting noticed. This is where creativity and individuality really pay off. Also, if you can gain a significant following to your work then that puts you on the map and guides potential dream makers right to you. The more you can do on your own is a plus. If all a label has to do is slap its name on you and support you financially while you simply continue to electrify the world with whatever it is that you do then you’re in there like swimwear.
UM: Do you perform on stage?
Jafar: (chuckle) Yes indeed, I perform on stage quite often… at every opportunity. Well, most… sometimes money is an issue.
Jafar performing R&B song, “Sure Thing” by Miguel (Saxophone Version)
UM: Any words of advice for young Saxophonists that are just getting into it?
Jafar: Skill comes as a result of the desire to have it. I am where I am today because I was determined and motivated to become the best musician I could be and because initially I made music for myself, for my own enjoyment. You have to want it, and thus want to take the necessary steps to obtain it. My three step process that I’ve practiced and preached from the beginning is: 1. Listen 2. Imitate 3. Then create. First listen to your favorite artists and take note of the things that they do that not only make them your favorite but are also characteristic of that particular artist. The more you listen and the larger the variety of the things you listen to, the more seeds of creative potential you plant. Then try to imitate the things that they do. If you can recreate the work of a professional then you’re not very far in skill from them, are you? But your goal shouldn’t be to be a complete copy of anyone. If someone is already out here doing something, chances are people aren’t gonna buy it a second time. And finally, create in your own way. Add your own twist or your own interpretations. If you’re really serious about music, then your own individuality will come out in your work involuntarily.
UM: Where can fans stay up to date on what you’re up to besides your YouTube Channel?
Jafar: Anyone who is interested can follow me on Twitter at @DAMN_heSmooth and find me on Facebook also. My personal website yourfavoritesaxplayer.com is under construction at the moment and will officially launch concurrently with my album. There, the public will eventually be able to find new music, new photos, new videos and new news on a regular basis. Besides those, yes I can be found on YouTube under the screen name jafaronthesax.
UM: Any last words to your fans?
Jafar: To all of my fans, friends, family, and followers: You all are truly a blessing and an inspiration and you will soon be rewarded for your loyalty and support with quality music from a sincere artist. Stay beautiful and keep loving music.
