A versatile composer and conductor whose music often combines traditional Malay musical instruments with Western musical instruments, he now serves as the conductor of Orkestra Tradisional Malaysia (Traditional Malaysia Orchestra) at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur. Having graduated from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Yazid Zakaria has an impressive portfolio of works in Malaysia as well as internationally. 

On the whole, his works have a strong musical presence, incorporating thematic lyricism, rich harmonies, energetic rhythmic motives and vibrant orchestration. Interestingly, Yazid Zakaria never fails to incorporate Malaysian traditional dance elements in his music, thus creating his signature Malaysian charm within a highly vibrant musical canvas. In many of his works Yazid Zakaria taps into the traditional art forms of the Malay culture and heritage, hence the musical elements of traditional music and cultural practices that play a dominant role in his works. He commenced his career in 1993 as the Malaysian representative at the Malaysian Jazz Festival and also in the ASEAN Symphony Band in Bangkok the following year. Since then, Yazid has served as a music director in numerous productions including the award-winning musical theatre Puteri Gunung Ledang (1999), Lambang Sari dan Malim Deman (2000), Hanuman (2001), Mahsuri (2003) and Semerah Padi (2008). 

His theatre production Indraputra won him the Cameronian Arts Award for Best Original Composition in 2002. Among his compositions performed at Istana Budaya and the Petronas Philharmonic Hall, Malaysia included Satu Rentak, Lodeh Mak Lodeh, Tari Sembah Warisan and Angin. He also composed Cak Pak Ting Doh which showcased the Malaysian Asli (aboriginal) music at the Rhapsody Malaysia musical concert in 2005. He was a finalist in the ‘MPO Forum for Malaysian Composers 2’ and was given the opportunity to compose music for the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, with works such as Mahsuri, Heritage and Angin. He was also invited to serve as conductor and composer of the Chinese Traditional Orchestra for the Imperial Charity Concert to raise funds for the victims of the Sichuan earthquake in 2008. Yazid Zakaria has now moved his baton to C Asean Consonant Traditional Music Ensemble, Asia Traditional Ensemble (ATE) and Asia Traditional Orchestra (ATO) as the Advisor, Composer and Conductor. 

In 2015 he was appointed chairman of the Warna-Warni Assemblage Orchestra Association (WWA) in support of the sacrifices and commitments made by the children and parents to inspire and establish future opportunities for WWA to develop and showcase exceptional talent not only locally, but also on the international stage.