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Cairo Steps

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Cairo Steps
Cairo Steps Official logo
Cairo Steps Official logo
Background information
Also known asCairo Steps
OriginCairo, Egypt
GenresJazz
Years active2002–present
Members
Websitecairosteps.com

Cairo Steps is an Egyptian jazz ensemble founded in 2002 by Egyptian-German musician and producer Basem Darwisch. The ensemble was awarded the German Golden Jazz Award in 2018.

History

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Cairo Steps was founded in 2002 by Egyptian-German musician and producer Basem Darwisch.[1][2]

Cairo Steps merges and combines traditional Egyptian and oriental grooves with modern jazz improvisation, classical music and contemporary sounds. The ensemble has played numerous concerts in Egypt, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Italy, France and many stages worldwide with musicians and artists from around the world. The group includes members of different nationalities.[3]

Awards

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On April 19, 2018, Cairo Steps collected The German Jazz Music award at Berlin ceremony with the ensemble members including Ines Abdul Dayem, Minister of Culture of Egypt, The ensemble received the award for their album Flying Carpet, which they created with German band Quadro Nuevo.[4][5] The Egyptian minister of culture honored Cairo Steps in the Egyptian Academy in Rome after being awarded the German Jazz Music Award in April 2018.[2]

Performances and Activities

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Cairo Steps with Cairo Opera Orchestra – Cairo Opera House 2019

In 2020, Cairo Steps continued to expand their musical presence through a variety of projects and performances. On June 26, they released a video of their track "Shams," originally featured on their 2017 album Flying Carpet. The video showcased the ensemble's adaptability by featuring a virtual performance, highlighting their ability to innovate in music presentation.[2]

The Egyptian Ministry of Culture also broadcast a previously recorded Cairo Steps concert at the Cairo Opera House, as part of an initiative to make cultural performances accessible to a wider audience through online platforms. [6]

Cairo Opera Orchestra, Cairo steps Ft. Sheikh Ehab Younis

Later that year, on November 2, Cairo Steps participated in the Arab Music Festival, performing at the Cairo Opera House in collaboration with the Cairo Opera Orchestra and Sheikh Ehab Younis. This event underscored their commitment to blending traditional and modern music styles while engaging with diverse audiences.[7][8]

In March 2023, Cairo Steps released a new single titled L’Imam. The track is inspired by the poem Daa Al-Ayam Tafaal ma Tachaä ("Let the Days Do as They Please") by Imam Al-Shafi'i, a prominent Islamic scholar and the founder of the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence.[9] The single was created in collaboration with Egyptian singer-songwriter Hany Adel, known for his work with the underground music group West Al-Balad. This release reflects the band's ongoing exploration of blending traditional Arabic poetry with contemporary musical influences.[10]

Basem Darwisch, Founder of Cairo Steps with Egyptian Maestro Nayer Nagui, Cairo Oprera House 2019

Members

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Cairo Steps consists of many members from different countries:[11]

  • Basem Darwisch (Oud)
  • Rami Attallah (Piano)
  • Max Klaas  (Percussions)
  • Rageed William (Duduk and Nai)
  • Stefan Hergenröder (E-Bass)
  • Wolfgang Wittemann (Soprano Saxophone)

Cooperating artists and guests of honor

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Discography

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Basem Darwisch led his team, Cairo Steps, to produce 5 albums and a large number of singles:

Albums and Singles
Year of Release Album Name Content Notes
2012 Oud Lounge
  1. Cairo Steps*
  2. Memories
  3. Triomania
  4. Samai Darwisch
  5. Sun Rise
  6. Taqsim Oud
  7. Alpha Omega
  8. Desert Road
  9. Min Awel Lamsa
 *Cairo Steps was redistributed in another version and released on the same album
2016 Arabiskan
  1. Sultan
  2. Nubian Groove
  3. Shams
  4. Amber
  5. Siwa**
  6. Bokra
  7. Alif
  8. La Sua Bucca
  9. Arabiskan*
  • *Ali El Helbawy sang Arabiskan in Flying Carpet album
  • **The song (My God) was sung by Marwa Nagy with Siwa Music.
2016 Silk Road
  1. Voyage Oriental
  2. Jaipur Express
  3. Constantinople Dance Palace
  4. Floating On Syr Darya
  5. Riders Of Tashkent
  6. Feathers and flames
  7. Samarkand 1001
  8. The Prince Of Turfan
  9. Taklan Makan
  10. Moon Over Issyk kul
  11. Market Of Kashgar
2017 Flying Carpet
  1. Sansibar
  2. Khaliji Steps
  3. Shams
  4. Dance Du Nil
  5. Arabiskan
2020–21 Diwan Cafe Oud Suite feat. Basem Darwisch
Reprise feat. Wolfgang Wittemann
Malek AlMolk feat. Sheikh Ehab Youness
Cairo Vibe feat. Rami Attallah
Ward feat. Rageed William
Elahi feat. Ousso Lotfy
El Anfoushi feat. Wael El Sayed
El Zaitoun feat. Ragy Kamal
Fayoum feat. John Sami
Electronic Music (With: Sam Shure)
  1. Iboto
  2. Mirage
  3. Sultan
  4. Arabiskan
Soundtrack Seven to One
Inspirational Music Oud Mood of the day
Duduk and Oud dialog mood With Rageed William
2014 Singles Gnossienne No.1 Remix feat Sheikh Ehab Younis
I can Say feat Maher Fayez.
2014–2015 Je nai nan feat Sheikh Ehab Younis, Ali El Helbawy, Monica George and Peter Ghattas.
2015 Aripsalin feat Monica George and Peter Ghattas.
Mariam
Beredak Remix feat Marwa Nagy
Al Mokhtar
Gnossienne New Remix
2017 Palladio
Adagio Remix feat Sheikh Ehab Younis
Desert Road Wahba's Moonlight Remix
2020 Malek ElMolk feat Sheikh Ehab Younis

References

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  1. ^ "Cairo Steps". Al Burda. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Egyptian band Cairo Steps cooperates with 19 musicians from all over the world in 'Shams' video clip". EgyptToday. June 27, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  3. ^ "StackPath". dailynewsegypt.com. January 31, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  4. ^ "Cairo Steps collect German Jazz Music award at Berlin ceremony – Music – Arts & Culture – Ahram Online". October 22, 2018. Archived from the original on October 22, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  5. ^ "Jazz Award in Gold für Quadro Nuevo und Cairo Steps". December 2, 2018. Archived from the original on December 2, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  6. ^ "Cairo Steps, Mounir, Abdel Dayem, Helbawy, Younis to perform online concert on YouTube Apr.6". EgyptToday. April 5, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  7. ^ "Cairo Steps release 'InFerag' performed with the Cairo Opera Orchestra on YouTube – Music – Arts & Culture". Ahram Online. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  8. ^ "Cairo Steps release Siwa, performed at Arabic Music Festival 2020, online – Music – Arts & Culture". Ahram Online. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  9. ^ "Opera Egypt | Cairo Steps - Two Nights at Cairo Opera House". www.cairoopera.org. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Cairo Steps and Hany Adel join hands in single The Imam".
  11. ^ "INTERVIEW: Cairo Steps' Basem Darwisch invites world musicians to work in Egypt – Music – Arts & Culture". Ahram Online. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
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