Azhaar Saffar is an Iraqi Welsh violinist / singer-songwriter. She studied classical music at the prestigious R.N.C.M, but preferred listening to Miles and Stefan Grapelli. Azhaar made her reputation fronting internationally acclaimed Brazilian jazz group Sirius B who sold most of their albums in Japan! Her musical life has been varied and colourful. While retaining strong credentials with appearances at notable festivals and venues such as Montreux, Maijazz, Brecon, Southport, London’s 606 club, Camden’s Jazz Café and recently Pizza Express Soho, she has also played for Egyptian princes, with Nicaraguan street bands, jammed with the minister of culture in Costa Rica, taught violin in remote fishing villages, and performed with the Bribri tribe!
Azhaar's strong credentials include appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival, London’s 606 club where she launched her previous album, regular appearances at Camden’s Jazz Café and recently Pizza Express Soho.
Azhaar has worked with some great British Jazz musicians Jason Rebello, Iain Ballamy, flautist Gareth Lockrane, who guests on the new album and DJ/’congeiro’ Snowboy who produced the title track. She has also worked with Pee Wee Ellis on her arrangement of Autumn Leaves for string quartet and saxophone and has received Arts Council Funding for her show 'Footprints' featuring a jazz sextet and dancers Elizabeth Mischler from Sadlers Wells and Perry Louis of Jazzcotech.
The new album ‘Original Love’ has been phenomenally received, and is receiving major radio play in the UK and internationally! LISTEN HERE
