When Shieqa and Zharif started Jazztify, they wanted to do more than just perform music; they wanted to create experiences people could truly feel and remember.
Through passion, dedication, and a shared love for elegant live music, the husband-and-wife duo have built a career bringing warmth, emotion, and sophistication to weddings, corporate events, and intimate celebrations.
In this interview, Jazztify shares their journey as musicians and entrepreneurs, the challenges of running a creative business, the lessons that shaped them, and the dreams they hope to bring to life through their music.
1. Hello, Shieqa and Zharif! For those meeting you for the first time, could you share a bit about yourselves, how your individual musical journeys began, and what inspired you to start Jazztify?
Shieqa:
I’ve loved singing for as long as I can remember, and I began performing professionally about ten years ago. Even though I studied business at university, music has always been my safe space.
Over the years, I trained formally and started performing at events. I’m drawn to jazz, soul, and R&B because they allow for storytelling and raw emotion.
I believe that when something is done with heart and sincerity, it shows; and audiences can feel that connection.
Zharif:
My journey with music started in high school, playing saxophone in the marching band. I went on to study performing arts in college, majoring in saxophone, and have been performing for over a decade.
I think the way someone plays reveals a lot about their personality; audiences can sense who you are through your style.
Jazz has been especially influential for me, shaping my approach with its freedom and sophistication.
Like Shieqa, I believe that music done with heart and sincerity always resonates.
Together:
We started Jazztify because we share a love for elegant, sophisticated live music and wanted to bring that to events in a way that feels intentional, curated, and timeless
2. You describe Jazztify as more than just live music — it’s about creating an elegant, tailored experience. Could you share what your services include and what makes Jazztify stand out from other live bands in the industry?
We offer curated live music experiences for weddings, corporate events, and private functions.
Our services range from saxophone solo to full band setups, depending on the scale and requirement of the event.
What sets us apart is our attention to detail, from song selection and flow of the night to styling, ambience, and understanding the client’s vision.
We specialise in jazz-inspired, classy live music that enhances the atmosphere without overpowering it.
3. As a husband-and-wife duo, what’s it like to blend your personal relationship with your professional partnership? How do you balance both roles on and off stage?
Working together as a couple has its challenges, but it’s also our biggest strength.
We try our best to understand each other’s rhythms, both musically and personally – and from time to time it has gotten better and better.
Communication is key – we make a conscious effort to separate work discussions from personal time, especially after performances, though it can be tricky sometimes.
On stage, that trust allows us to perform naturally and intuitively, and audiences can feel that connection.
4. Can you walk us through what a typical week looks like for you as musicians?
Our weeks are a mix of rehearsals, client meetings, administrative work, and content planning.
We spend time curating playlists, preparing for upcoming events, and refining our performances.
Weekends are usually performance-heavy, while weekdays focus on planning, rehearsing, and running the business side of Jazztify.
5. Every creative journey has its ups and downs. What challenges did you face in building Jazztify, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges was building trust in a competitive industry.
We focused on consistency, professionalism, and delivering high-quality performances at every event.
Over time, word of mouth became our strongest advocate, and our work began speaking for itself.
6. From a business perspective, how has the journey been so far? What are some of the struggles you’ve faced as entrepreneurs running a creative business?
Managing a creative business means juggling many roles – artist, manager, marketer, and administrator.
Balancing creativity with structure took time, but it taught us the importance of systems, boundaries, and valuing our work, while also maintaining the discipline and work ethic required as performers.
7. You’ve both performed for all kinds of events, from intimate weddings to corporate award nights. What has been your most memorable performance so far?
Each event is unique, yet intimate weddings and our showcases remain particularly memorable.
Being part of such personal, heartfelt moments at weddings is incredibly meaningful, and our showcases allow us to share our artistic vision through thoughtfully curated performances.
8. Running a creative business often teaches us unexpected lessons. What have you learned about yourselves (or each other) through this journey?
We’ve learned patience, resilience, and how to truly support one another.
This journey has helped us grow together – not just as musicians, but as partners navigating life and business.
9. Where do you see Jazztify in the next 5 years? Are there new projects, collaborations, or dreams you’re hoping to bring to life?
We hope to expand Jazztify into a recognised name for premium live music experiences in Malaysia and beyond.
We’re excited about collaborations with other artists, creating original arrangements, and possibly running educational or mentorship projects for upcoming musicians.
10. What advice would you give to newer Malaysian musicians who want to take their craft more seriously and start earning from it?
- Treat your craft like a business while protecting your love for music.
- Be consistent, professional, and patient.
- Build relationships, keep learning, and don’t undervalue your work — quality and integrity will always stand out.
11. For someone reading this who resonates with your work, what’s the best way for them to connect with you or hire you for their event?
The best way is through our Instagram @jazztify.ent, where we share our work and updates.
Enquiries can be made via our contact details there, and we’re always happy to discuss how we can curate the perfect live music experience for any event.
Final Thoughts
A heartfelt thank you to @jazztify.ent for sharing their journey with such openness and sincerity. Building a career in music while running a creative business is no easy path, and Shieqa and Zharif’s story shows what can happen when passion, discipline, and purpose come together.
Here are three takeaways we loved from this interview:
- Stay true to your craft. When you lead with passion and sincerity, people can feel it.
- Treat creativity like a business. Consistency, professionalism, and discipline are key to long-term growth.
- Grow together. Strong partnerships, in music and in life, can be your greatest strength.
You can follow their journey on Instagram @jazztify.ent to see their latest performances and musical moments, or reach out to them there to create a beautiful live music experience for your next event.
