Cairo Steps


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

Cairo Steps was founded in 2002 by Egyptian–German musician and producer Basem Darwisch.
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.

Awards

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. 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.

Performances and Activities

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.
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.
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.
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 by Imam Al-Shafi'i, a prominent Islamic scholar and the founder of the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence. 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.
File:Basem_Darwisch_&_Maestro_Nayer_Nagui.jpg|thumb|Basem Darwisch, Founder of Cairo Steps with Egyptian Maestro Nayer Nagui, Cairo Oprera House 2019

Members

Cairo Steps consists of many members from different countries:
  • Basem Darwisch
  • Rami Attallah
  • Max Klaas 
  • Rageed William
  • Stefan Hergenröder
  • Wolfgang Wittemann

    Cooperating artists and guests of honor

  • Mohamed Mounir
  • Hany Adel
  • Ali El Haggar
  • Ali El Helbawi
  • Ihab Youness
  • Marwa Nagui
  • Ines Abdul Dayem

    Discography

Basem Darwisch led his team, Cairo Steps, to produce 5 albums and a large number of singles:
Year of ReleaseAlbum nameContentNotes
2012Oud 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
2016Arabiskan
  • Sultan
  • Nubian Groove
  • Shams
  • Amber
  • Siwa**
  • Bokra
  • Alif
  • La Sua Bucca
  • Arabiskan*
    • *Ali El Helbawy sang Arabiskan in Flying Carpet album
    • **The song was sung by Marwa Nagy with Siwa Music.
    2016Silk 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
    2017Flying Carpet
  • Sansibar
  • Khaliji Steps
  • Shams
  • Dance Du Nil
  • Arabiskan
    • 2020–21Diwan CafeOud Suitefeat. Basem Darwisch
    2020–21Diwan CafeReprisefeat. Wolfgang Wittemann
    2020–21Diwan CafeMalek AlMolkfeat. Sheikh Ehab Youness
    2020–21Diwan CafeCairo Vibefeat. Rami Attallah
    2020–21Diwan CafeWardfeat. Rageed William
    2020–21Diwan CafeElahifeat. Ousso Lotfy
    2020–21Diwan CafeEl Anfoushifeat. Wael El Sayed
    2020–21Diwan CafeEl Zaitounfeat. Ragy Kamal
    2020–21Diwan CafeFayoumfeat. John Sami
    Electronic Music
  • Iboto
  • Mirage
  • Sultan
  • Arabiskan
    • SoundtrackSeven to One
    Inspirational MusicOud Mood of the day
    Inspirational MusicDuduk and Oud dialog moodWith Rageed William
    2014SinglesGnossienne No.1Remix feat Sheikh Ehab Younis
    2014SinglesI can Sayfeat. Maher Fayez.
    2014–2015SinglesJe nai nanfeat. Sheikh Ehab Younis, Ali El Helbawy, Monica George and Peter Ghattas.
    2015SinglesAripsalinfeat. Monica George and Peter Ghattas.
    2015SinglesMariamfeat. Monica George and Peter Ghattas.
    2015SinglesBeredakRemix feat Marwa Nagy
    2015SinglesAl MokhtarRemix feat Marwa Nagy
    2015SinglesGnossienneNew Remix
    2017SinglesPalladioNew Remix
    2017SinglesAdagioRemix feat Sheikh Ehab Younis
    2017SinglesDesert RoadWahba's Moonlight Remix
    2020SinglesMalek ElMolkfeat. Sheikh Ehab Younis
    2023SinglesDaa Al-Ayam Tafaal ma Tachaä feat. Hany Adel