Singer/songwriter Sharif combines a dreamy dose of folk and experimental rock. A native of Norfolk, VA, Sharif was immediately taken by the honesty of Evan Dando and the sassy indie rock rawness of Liz Phair while attending the University of Virginia in the late '90s. His sweet acoustic sound quickly took shape, matching the bravery of Toad the Wet Sprocket and Van Morrison. He tested his musical waters while still in school, playing various showcases around D.C. and Virginia, as well as coffee shop gigs in Europe in summer 2000. Upon his return from an eight-month stay in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sharif struck a working relationship with Sam Jacobs of the Annex Group. Together, the two prepared for Sharif's musical introduction just prior to his college graduation. Textured guitar work and pop-driven harmonies were captured on Sharif's 2001 debut EP Kiss the Moon. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide
Sharīf (Arabic: شريف) is a traditional Arabtribaltitle given to those who serve as the protector of the tribe and all tribal assets, such as property, wells, and land. The feminine form is sharifa(h).
Primarily Sunnis in the Arab world reserve the term sharif for descendants of Hasan ibn Ali, while sayyid is used for descendants of Husayn ibn Ali. Both Hasan and Husayn are grandchildren of Prophet Muhammad, through the marriage of his cousin Ali and his daughter Fatima. However ever since the post-Hashemite era began, the term sayyid has been used to denote descendants from both Hasan and Husayn. Arab Shiites use the terms sayyid and habib to denote descendants from both Hasan and Husayn; see also ashraf.
From 1201 until the Hejaz was conquered by Ibn Saud in 1925, this family held the office of the Sharīf of Makkah, often also carrying the title and office of King of Hejaz. Descendants now rule the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the name being taken from the Banu Hashim, the sub-tribe of Banu Quraish, to which Prophet Muhammad belonged.
The word has no etymological connection with the English term sheriff, which comes from the Old English word scīrgerefa, meaning "shire-reeve," the local reeve (enforcement agent) of the king in the shire (county).
Sharif, however, is the arabic/farsi word for "honorable".
