Scroll to the bottom to hear samples from Omar Sharriff.

Sitting in front of his piano, Omar Sharriff effortlessly strums out everything from classical music to jazz. It’s no wonder he has been nicknamed Omar “The Magnificent.” He has performed all over the world, including London, Paris, New York and Chicago. He has also shared the stage with many legends, including Ray Charles and Floyd Dixon. Sharriff will be playing on campus at noon today in the University Union Redwood Room.

“My old man used to play the piano and it just sounded so good,” Sharriff said. This inspired him to start playing. He began playing when he was just 10 years old. “I didn’t have a piano at home, so I went to the elementary school, and if the window was open, I would sneak in and play,” Sharriff said. “I taught myself because I wanted to do it. I knew it was the thing to do.”

The piano is not his only talent. Sharriff also writes most of his songs and sings. “I’ve always hated my voice, but you’ve got to use what you’ve got,” he said.

Many would disagree with that statement. A review written by Elijah Wald on Arhoolie.com said: “Sharriff is an interesting pianist, with hints of Latin and jazz in his playing, but he is strongest as a singer and lyricist. He has a unique sound, artistic introspection mixed with big city soul and a rare poetic sensitivity.”

Playing, singing and performing come naturally for him. He said he never feels nervous on stage, not even when he first began performing. “That is where I feel most at home,” Sharriff said. He has won many awards, including Living Blues’ 1996 Critics Award for Most Outstanding Blues Musician.

Frank Dupree, another piano player, describes Sharriff as eclectic. “He plays his own style,” Dupree said. “It’s unique. He does not copy anyone else, that’s for sure.”

Earlier this year, Sharriff needed quadruple bypass surgery for his heart. Rick von Gelderon, a friend of Sharriff’s for more than 15 years, organized a benefit to help Sharriff raise money for his surgery. “It was easy-. The jazz community came together without any arm-twisting,” von Gelderon said. “He is a good person. If I call and say I need something, he would be there.” Many musicians from Sacramento and the Bay Area united for this three-and-half-hour benefit.

“My opinion of Omar is really high. He is unique-and has tremendous musical talents,” von Gelderon said. “He is someone whom I have a lot of respect for as a musician. He has given so much to the Sacramento and San Francisco music community.”

Sharriff is saddened by how music has changed in the U.S. “The whole country has gone to the dogs in terms of music,” he said. He feels that people no longer have the same appreciation for great music and performers as they once did. Because of this, it has been difficult for him to find places to perform. “For the first time in 50 years, I have this problem,” he said.

In addition to music, Sharriff has lived a pretty fascinating life. In 1968, Sharriff came home early from a show and caught his wife with another man. She ended up shooting him in the stomach three times. He would have died if it wasn’t for members of the Black Panther party who found and saved him. “We became good friends. If it were not for them, I would be dead,” he said.

Experiences such as this inspire much of what he writes, with many of his songs coming straight from his heart. “Life inspires me to write,” he said.

Sharriff was born in 1938 in Shreveport, La., but was raised in Marshall, Texas. His birth name was David Alexander, but he changed his name in 1960 when he converted to Islam. “I am pissed off by guys claiming to be Muslim who run around killing people. A true God don’t condone killing people,” he said. “Converting made me realize there is a God who only asks that you believe in him.”

The music Sharriff plays is breathtaking, but as a man, he is nothing short of “magnificent.”

Click on the song name to hear a sample of this artist’s music.

I Want Some Money

Blue Train

Linda Le can be reached at [email protected]