54 July 2015 www.bahrainthismonth.com interview Take a ride back in time with this islander whose talent and relentless dedication took him from university corridors to brushing shoulders with music royalty. stage, when he performed at the Albert Hall in a charity show, entertaining a host of VIPs including Lord Angus Ogilvy. He also fervently talks about collaborating with Puerto Rican guitarist, singer and composer, José Feliciano. “Not long ago, he came to Bahrain and I was asked to play conga drums with him. We did a concert together here, at the Hilton Hotel.” One of his most valued accomplishments to date is an LP that he produced in 1969. The record was titled Latin Beatles by The Mirza Men. In the mid 50s, Mirza was regularly featured on British television. “There were only two main channels back then, BBC and ITV,” he adds. He also got a chance to be part of the second instalment in the James Bond movie franchise, From Russia With Love. “I had to play the part of a gypsy musician,” Mirza says. “We worked on it for a week but on the film you just see a short clip.” Now, whenever Mirza gets an opportunity, he likes to jam with the Cuban band at Trader Vics or meets his friends for coffee over conversations about history, art, photography and his extensive stamp collection. Watch the complete interview with Mirza Al Sharif on Bahrain This Month’s website and YouTube channel. BACKSEAT CHAT JAGUAR LAND ROVER Mirza Al Sharif with George F Middleton To view the video, scan the QR Code, or visit www.bahrainthismonth.com. Former medical student Mirza Al Sharif’s life changed forever after hearing a Cuban percussionist play bongos at a London club in the early 50s. “I was watching him and was completely fascinated by it,” he tells George Middleton as the two traverse Amwaj Islands, riding in the backseat of a Land Rover Discovery Sport. Mirza has spent the better part of his life pursuing his twin passions of percussion and Latin music. An active live musician and studio artist in London in the 50s and 60s, when the scene was abuzz with the sound of rock ‘n’ roll and ethnic music, he is a treasure trove of anecdotes and stories. He is famously rumoured to have played with guitar virtuoso Carlos Santana, but says it is simply a myth. “I didn’t perform with him but one of the musicians in Santana’s band, Armando Peraza, was my good friend and we used to jam together in different clubs,” he says. However, his claim to fame doesn’t stop there. He clearly remembers meeting Jimi Hendrix in London at a music-shop. “I used to see him nearly every day at this shop called Drum City in Shaftsbury Avenue,” he explains. “He was a very tall, humble and down-toearth person; very gentle.” Mirza recalls as one of his most special moments on
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