Named Best Jazz Artist by Record Music NZ in 2018, Umar is so much more than an exciting bassist and composer. He’s dedicated his musical skill and talent to inspiring communication and cooperation across ideological boundaries. A graduate of the NZ School of Music and selected to study at top US music school – the New England Conservatory in Boston, Umar has performed and competed around the world with major jazz names. Umar first achieved a Inspire Foundation Grant in 2015 towards his US study and it has been thrilling to be part of his journey – both in music and community leadership as he uses his performance career to spread his message of consciousness in thought and feeling. Congratulations Umar for achieving a Craig Raymond Trembath Trust Scholarship.