Today we’d like to introduce you to Nazim Rashid.
Hi Nazim, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My parents bought a toy saxophone for me when I was 10 & it was love at the first note. I played that sax all the time even taking it to bed & playing it first thing in the morning. Seeing my enthusiasm for that toy sax prompted my father to buy a real saxophone and have my mother take me to saxophone lessons. I excelled quickly & as I grew I found classmates who wanted to be musicians too so we started playing together. As I became a teenager I moved to Phoenix & formed an R&B band & played at local high school events. In my first year in college, the band got a manager, playing in nightclubs gaining popularity. After a year the manager arranged a national tour playing in several states. That year I was so privileged to meet the great Eddie Harris & studied with him really learning to play on a much higher level. That’s when I started writing songs. I returned to Phoenix & joined another group which led to another tour backing popular singing groups like the Platters & Coasters. After a year of that experience, I moved to the Bay Area & returned to school studying music education at 4 Universities & forming my own quartet & playing in a Big Band for 13 years. While studying & playing around town I had the opportunity to play with some International jazz masters like Hank Jones, Arthur Prysock, Groove Holmes, Eddie Henderson, Mary Stallings, & Eddie Harris, I eventually returned to Phoenix forming my new quartet, Nazim Rashid & New Renaissance which I have presently. I recorded my 1st CD REMEMBRANCE. We are currently playing acoustic standards along with my original compositions in jazz venues locally. – I also had a career as a counselor in the mental health/substance abuse fields. I was a Community Organizer, Director of Youth programs, Teacher of Personal Growth classes & Published Author with Reconnected, a book in the Inner Child Development category.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There was an emotional void in my childhood which produced a very low self-esteem so as I entered adolescence I started using drugs to feel good & give me a sense of esteem. Playing in a band helped perpetuate my desire for more drugs as one drive sets off another. after I realized an addiction had taken place, I went into a 12 Step program. After a year I decided I would help others & after study I became a counselor in the mental health & substance fields saving lives. An older couple in Oakland became my God-Parents & provided the love, support & compassion I needed. With that support I became a director of youth programs, community organizing & teaching. I received certifications in Conflict Resolution & utilized these skills in the youth programs & classes I taught. After coming back to Phoenix I was able to write a personal book in the Inner Child category called RECONNECTED, how to be a mentor to your child self. I had a 5 year publishing contract & sold over 400 books locally & abroad.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What sets me apart from other groups are my original compositions. Acoustic jazz is all I play now. You have to compose on the spot which is what improvising is all about. It is the hardest music to play & I love playing it.
What matters most to you?
Producing smiles in the audience, raising my own self-esteem & self-image & doing what I was put on the earth to do- Making a difference whether it is in how ppl feel; different than when they came into one of my concerts OR in a personal growth area, feeling better about themselves where they see more positive outcomes in life than they did before we met.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.jazzrenaissance.comn
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/Nrjazz
