Jazzing it Up!

Taymour Sharawy

By Hend Seif El Din

1. I know you signed a music production contract with an agency in London, but before talking about that I’d like to talk about what happened before that turning point.  Were you always into music?

I have to say I’ve always been into music. From a very young age my mother would have me listen to classical music in the afternoons whenever she was off and I grew to love it. At five I started taking piano lessons and have been playing ever since. When I was in middle school I was introduced to jazz and picked up playing the tenor saxophone. I’d say with two or three exceptions, I’m into all genres of music.

2. How did you nurture your talent?

Honestly, through practice and inspiration. I was excited to pick up and instrument and stuck with music ever since. Later, in high school, I was exposed to other forms of musical performance opportunities (including choir and musical theatre) and pursued it ever since.

3. When did you realize that this was something you wanted to take seriously?

I’ve always said that music isn’t something I wanted to take on professionally. However, having moved to London last September and having the opportunity present itself halfway through my freshman year, I didn’t want to let it slip away and took advantage of the opportunity at hand.

4. What type of music do you produce?

I would say that it’s a cross of pop and jazz with a heavy blues influence. It definitely isn’t anything mainstream, but that’s part of why I got into this – I want to reintroduce older styles to modern audiences and popularize it, too.

5. You also sing. Did you ever have any vocal coaching or were you just born with an amazing voice?

I didn’t truly realize how much I enjoyed singing until my senior year of high school. It was almost by chance, but I had to choose an elective and opted for choir. Little did I know that I’d love it and go on to perform at various (albeit minor) talent shows and musical theatre productions. Overall, I’d say yes, I definitely had coaching, and I’m more than grateful for it!

6. So, tell me more about this contract.

There are two contracts to be specific. The first one – which I signed in December 2014 – is the production contract I’m currently bound to. With my producer at the agency, I’m in the process of producing an original four-song EP due to be released in September or October. The second contract will be signed upon completion of the EP and revolves around PR – with the agency (Downtown Artists, Soho) helping me find live performances to partake in, producing a music video for my first single, among other things.

7. Other than co-producing music, what else do you do with your talent?

I love singing with friends for fun as anyone does. It’s always great being in a car filled with people I’m close to and just singing along to whatever’s playing, be it the radio or a playlist we’ve put on. One of my favourite things happens around Christmas whenever we have guests over who start wanting to sing along to carols, I end up getting stuck playing for them, and while I might complain about it sometimes, I have to admit I love it. Christmas music (traditional or not) has always had a very special place in my heart.

8. You’ve also performed live, right?

A few times, yes. I’ve had various classical piano recitals growing up, which were fun, but jazz performances are definitely my favourite. Mainly because people tend to know a lot of the big band and swing songs I cover, and audience support is always great. In 2010, I also attended two international school festivals, in Dubai and in Doha.

9. I know you live in London, but have you considered performing in Cairo?

Of course! I’ve had an indirect offer made to me but my dream concert in Egypt involve performing at the sound and light venue at the pyramids. I would kill for that opportunity!

10. When will you be releasing your album?

We don’t have an official date yet, but I’d say towards the end of September to mid October.

11. Which music inspires you, other than jazz?

Frankly, all music does. The most modern and mainstream songs have been redone and covered with jazzy undertones and I love listening to them. One band I particular that comes to mind is Postmodern Jukebox. I love their music and their covers are a big part of what pushes me to encourage my generation to listen to and appreciate jazz.

12. In general, what inspires you?

It strikes at random. The clichés, of course – love and heartbreak, friends and family – but things one might come across in everyday life (which includes the clichés, I suppose) – anything, really – can provide inspiration. It’s a tricky question to answer because literally anything and everything will come to mind when I write. It’s the end result that counts obviously, but the process of putting pen to paper isn’t very transparent.

13. Do you play any musical instruments yourself?

The piano (fifteen years this November) and the saxophone (nine years this September).

14. Has that helped you in terms of writing music?

Of course; instrumentation is the basis upon which I built my passion for music. Singing came later obviously, and I only started writing this year, but coming up with melodies and respective chords wouldn’t be easy without having the musical background I was fortunate enough to grow up with.

15. For now, where can I find your music?

Originals will be released on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify come the release dates. For now, though, my covers can be heard on YouTube (via my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TaymourSharaway) and are available for download through my SoundCloud account.