# 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 ("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. 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.

## Members

Cairo Steps consists of many members from different countries:
* Basem Darwisch (Oud)
* Rami Attallah (Piano)
* Max Klaas (Percussions)
* Rageed William (Duduk and Nai)
* Stefan Hergenröder (E-Bass)
* Cairo Steps members in front of Giza pyramids – 2023Wolfgang Wittemann (Soprano Saxophone)

### 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:
Albums and Singles :
| Year of Release | Album Name | Content | Notes |
| 2012 | Oud Lounge | Cairo Steps* Memories Triomania Samai Darwisch Sun Rise Taqsim Oud Alpha Omega Desert Road Min Awel Lamsa | *Cairo Steps was redistributed in another version and released on the same album |
| 2016 | Arabiskan | Sultan Nubian Groove Shams Amber Siwa** Bokra Alif La Sua Bucca 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 | Voyage Oriental Jaipur Express Constantinople Dance Palace Floating On Syr Darya Riders Of Tashkent Feathers and flames Samarkand 1001 The Prince Of Turfan Taklan Makan Moon Over Issyk kul Market Of Kashgar | |
| 2017 | Flying Carpet | Sansibar Khaliji Steps Shams Dance Du Nil Arabiskan | |
| 2020–21 | Diwan Cafe | Oud Suite | feat. Basem Darwisch |
| 2020–21 | Diwan Cafe | Reprise | feat. Wolfgang Wittemann |
| 2020–21 | Diwan Cafe | Malek AlMolk | feat. Sheikh Ehab Youness |
| 2020–21 | Diwan Cafe | Cairo Vibe | feat. Rami Attallah |
| 2020–21 | Diwan Cafe | Ward | feat. Rageed William |
| 2020–21 | Diwan Cafe | Elahi | feat. Ousso Lotfy |
| 2020–21 | Diwan Cafe | El Anfoushi | feat. Wael El Sayed |
| 2020–21 | Diwan Cafe | El Zaitoun | feat. Ragy Kamal |
| 2020–21 | Diwan Cafe | Fayoum | feat. John Sami |
| | Electronic Music (With: Sam Shure) | Iboto Mirage Sultan Arabiskan | |
| | Soundtrack | Seven to One | |
| | Inspirational Music | Oud Mood of the day | |
| | Inspirational Music | Duduk and Oud dialog mood | With Rageed William |
| 2014 | Singles | Gnossienne No.1 | Remix feat Sheikh Ehab Younis |
| 2014 | Singles | I can Say | feat. Maher Fayez. |
| 2014–2015 | Singles | Je nai nan | feat. Sheikh Ehab Younis, Ali El Helbawy, Monica George and Peter Ghattas. |
| 2015 | Singles | Aripsalin | feat. Monica George and Peter Ghattas. |
| 2015 | Singles | Mariam | feat. Monica George and Peter Ghattas. |
| 2015 | Singles | Beredak | Remix feat Marwa Nagy |
| 2015 | Singles | Al Mokhtar | Remix feat Marwa Nagy |
| 2015 | Singles | Gnossienne | New Remix |
| 2017 | Singles | Palladio | New Remix |
| 2017 | Singles | Adagio | Remix feat Sheikh Ehab Younis |
| 2017 | Singles | Desert Road | Wahba's Moonlight Remix |
| 2020 | Singles | Malek ElMolk | feat. Sheikh Ehab Younis |
| 2023 | Singles | Daa Al-Ayam Tafaal ma Tachaä ("Let the Days Do as They Please") | feat. Hany Adel |