Thursday, September 26th at 8 pm
Jackson Wellsprings in the Casbah
Ecstatic night of “Rising High”
Roots Reggae with Zahira backed by Rising Buffalo
$15 in advance $20 at the door
https://www.facebook.com/jacksonwellspringsevents/
She has a voice like a chart-topping R&B singer, dreadlocks that extend below her waist, and the heart of a passionate humanitarian. Zahira was born in Ontario, Canada and started singing in a Gospel choir as a kid.
Early on, she was invited on stage to perform and she knew at that moment that she wanted to keep doing it as her career. Her performances started as early as age fifteen, and she continued her musical pursuit by studying jazz in college. Moving to the States in 1996, she took on the name Zahira for touring.
When asked how her performance and music had changed since her early beginnings, she says, “When I first started, I was more of an R&B jazz singer. Then I studied world music and began singing in other languages (Sanskrit and Hebrew). Now, my music is a combination of Angelic sound, Reggae, intentional prayers, directing the energy to make a big change and doing it more out in public than in private practice.”
Attending Zahira’s shows is a family affair. She creates kid-friendly events and a safe space for everyone to express themselves. There are often special guests on stage (to be announced shortly), and the audience gets to participate in call and response, stage appearances and dancing. For her upcoming show, Zahira will be performing with the Rising Buffalo Tribe whom she met about two and a half years ago. Back then, she played in a Southern Oregon show and met the keyboard player, Michael Leslie, after the event. By happenstance, she ran into him again at Guitar Center and they jammed and practiced for a few hours. “It was love at first practice,” she explains. Since she was going through a transition with her current band, she took all members of the Rising Buffalo tribe under her wing, and they have been performing together since. “Rising Buffalo Tribe is a group of Incan native local Pacific Northwest born brothers from the Roots Reggae scene,” she explains.
What to expect at the upcoming Zahira show? It is all about getting down and rising! She explains, “You will be walking into an intentional space. I open up the concert with a universal prayer; opening up sacred space. The music is really danceable with deep bass, soaring guitar solos, and vocal harmonies.” Zahira currently has a new video out on YouTube called Mystic One. It was filmed at Mt. Shasta and is about giving thanks for life and remembering to call out to the creator when you need help. She expects that another single will be released around January of 2020, and then a completely new album a few months after that.
In addition to performing, Zahira is a human rights activist and donates a portion of the proceeds of her shows to local nonprofits. “Using the gift for the good,” is how she puts it. “Bringing positive energy wherever I go,” is her goal. All her music is uplifting with positive lyrics and intentions to raise the vibrations of the universe. Zahira feels that many are more receptive to her music and message than ever. Fans say: “I need the medicine.”
For those who want to attend, get your tickets in advance and consider soaking in the Hot Springs before the show.
Thursday, September 26th at 8 pm
Jackson Wellsprings in the Casbah
Ecstatic night of “Rising High”
Roots Reggae with Zahira backed by Rising Buffalo
$15 in advance $20 at the door
https://www.facebook.com/jacksonwellspringsevents/