专辑简介

Born in Harlem... Shaakir's Mother moved him to Albany, New York at the age of 10 after a few murders hit home, to include his Step-Father & his 100 pound German Shepherd...not to mention their apartment getting burglarized right after both murders. In a different environment (Albany), Shaakir now had an opportunity to experience other things in life. He began hanging out at the Boy's Club playing basketball, ping-pong, pool, etc., the normal things most kids did. He also got the chance to join the school Elementary band and play the drums beginning in the 5th grade...a dream come true - since his schools in Harlem didn't have a music program. Excelling on the drums, Shaakir's Mother bought him a red - sparkle drum set his first year, but his drum career came to an end when he reached Jr. High School with at least 20 students wanting to play the drums. The music teacher, John Antonio was familiar with Shaakir since they both spent their summers at Camp Thatcher - a summer camp sponsored by the Boy's Club. John suggested he play the sax and it began. Shaakir practiced & started helping the band director. Hackett Jr. High was known for a slammin' band in the past - and had even recorded an album prior to his arrival... it was no different when Shaakir attended- the band still had to be slammin'! He decided to learn the horn parts for Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke," with the director eventually writing the charts out for the entire band. John Antonio, a trained Percussionist also suggested a solo for the two of them entitled, "Montego" a solo for the Sax and Marimba... a first ever. He attended Albany High School where he was put in the concert band, but couldn't deal with the limitations, the music, but most of all... the teacher. He was switched over to the music program for 10th-12th graders under the direction of Don Lutzy. A Jazz Trumpeter, Piano player and graduate of Berklee College of Music, Don turned Shaakir on to a world of music that had only been heard in the past... Don allowed Shaakir to be himself and explore music - after all... JAZZ "is what it is" and Shaakir was beginning to understand that. Shaakir formed a Jazz Band in High School playing music from Patrice Rushin, The Crusaders, Duke Ellington, etc. Don also suggested that Shaakir take private lessons, but it wasn't in his Mother's budget so he was introduced to George Mastrangelo who also taught in the school district at "Street Academy", the "Alternative" School. A Saxophonist , George took Shaakir under his wings and taught him how to listen, but most importantly how to hear what was going on - George's sayin'... " if you can sing it - you can play it..." and he still uses it to this day!! Upon graduating, Shaakir attended Berklee College of Music with Walter Beasley, Greg Osby, Cyrus Chestnut and Wendell Brooks, decided to change his major to Criminal Justice and attended Prairie View A&M University of Texas and quit playing for about 15 years. He began producing mostly Rap to include Platinum Artist Lil' Troy - known for "Wanna Be a Balla," that is until he produced Horace Alexander Young. A Saxophonist & University Professor, Horace allowed Shaakir to produce him on an original track - after which he (Shaakir) called his Mother in N.Y. with bragging rights. But to his surprise, his mother told him that it should be him blowing and hung up! On to the present, Shaakir now has seven (7) albums, with his latest entitled " Grown Folks Music," with an Inspirational project entitled "Spiritually Yours" scheduled for '2007 release. On an International Armed Forces Tour since October of '2001, his tour has taken his music to more than 50 Military Bases Worldwide, while performing and meeting our soldiers on a daily basis. In '2005, Shaakir was chosen for an experimental "Good Will/New Release" tour in Germany & Italy where he visited 12 U.S. Military Bases. As a sideman, he has performed with R&B Crooner, Will Downing and featured on Lil Troys' " Back to Ballin'" with his Jazz Version of the Platinum Hit, " Wanna Be A Balla. Shaakir plays the Alto, Tenor, Saxello and Curved Soprano Saxophones & endorsed L. A. Sax for 5 years, and has recently been added as a user of SaxxRaxx - a professional sax stand. A Songwriter, Producer, Recording Engineer, but above all... SAXOPHONIST!! Soulful & Inspirational music for all is the motto for '2007. Currently in his 32 track ADAT Studio, Shaakir has been working on his Inspirational project "Inspirational Vibe," for a '2007 release. Stay Inspired!