Basem Darwisch (Arabic: باسم درويش) (born April 1966) is an Egyptian–German composer, producer and oud virtuoso. He is the founder of Cairo Steps Ensemble,[1][2][3][4] He is the first musician in the Middle East to be awarded the German golden jazz award in 2018 and 2021.[5][6][7][8][9]
Basem Darwisch باسم درويش | |
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![]() Basem Darwisch | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Basem Samir Darwish |
Born | April 1966 Beni Mazar, Al-Minya, Egypt |
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, record producer |
Instrument | Oud |
Years active | 1984–present |
Education
editDarwisch studied German linguistics at Ain Shams University and classical music at the Arabic music academy in Cairo. He won prizes for Best Oud Player in 1985 and 1986.[10]
By the end of 1986 he had moved to Austria and then Germany, where he studied Egyptology and ethnology at Heidelberg University.[3][10]
Career
editDarwisch started his professional carrier in 1986 at the Theatre of AlTali'aa in Cairo with the Egyptian composer Waguih Aziz, In 1994 he joined the folklore group Salamat in Germany with Sudanese and Egyptian musicians.[11] He played with Salamat for many years in France, Spain, England and Germany.[10]
Darwisch joined many Afro Egyptian and Arabic groups in Europe between 1994 and 1997. Then in 1997 in Berlin with Hossam Shaker they founded new form of the Egyptian group Rahalah, with different concerts, workshops in Spain, Germany and Egypt.[10]
In 1999, he joined Sharkiat band for Fathy Salama, Grammy award 2005 winner in concerts in Cairo opera house, El Qalaa Festival and Alexandria in Egypt. In 2000 Darwisch joined Mohamed Mounir Band and played with Mounir Concerts in Morocco, Berlin and other European cities.[10]
In 2000, Darwisch formed with the German pianist Matthias Frey and former BAP Saxophonist Büdi Siebert an oriental jazz Trio with Concerts in Germany and Egypt.[11][10]
Discography
editBassem Darwisch led his team, Cairo Steps, to produce 5 albums and a large number of singles:
Year of Release | Album Name | Content | Notes |
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2012 | Oud Lounge |
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*Cairo Steps was redistributed in another version and released on the same album |
2016 | Arabiskan |
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2016 | Silk Road |
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2017 | Flying Carpet |
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Electronic Music (With: Sam Shure) |
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Soundtrack | Seven to One | ||
Inspirational Music | Oud Mood of the day | ||
Duduk and Oud dialog mood | With Ragheed William | ||
2014 | Singles | Gnossienne No.1 | Remix feat Sheikh Ehab Younis |
2014 - 2015 | Je nai nan | feat Sheikh Ehab Younis, Ali El Helbawy, Monica George and Peter Ghattas. | |
2014 | I can Say | feat Maher Fayez. | |
2015 | Aripsalin | feat Monica George and Peter Ghattas. | |
2015 | Mariam | ||
2015 | Beredak | Remix feat Marwa Nagy | |
2015 | Al Mokhtar | ||
2015 | Gnossienne | New Remix | |
2017 | Palladio | ||
2017 | Adagio | Remix feat Sheikh Ehab Younis | |
2020 | Malek ElMolk | feat Sheikh Ehab Younis |
Awards
editOn 19 April 2018, Cairo Steps Founder Basem Darwisch collected The German Jazz Music award at Berlin ceremony with the ensemble members including Inas Abdeldayem, Minister of Culture of Egypt, The ensemble received the award for their album Flying Carpet, which they created with German band Quadro Nuevo.[12][13]
On 12 October 2021, Basem Darwisch collected The German Jazz Music award with Quadro Nuevo for his track "Cafe Groppi" in their album "MARE".[5]
References
edit- ^ "INTERVIEW: Basem Darwisch takes Cairo Steps to orchestral horizons – Music – Arts & Culture". Ahram Online. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- ^ Shanti, PAr Ahmed Al (2 March 2017). "Imam Bocelli: the latest creation of Basem Darwisch". ONORIENT (in French). Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- ^ a b "Bassem Darwish on the "one of a kind" music experience in Egypt with Souad Massi". Daily News Egypt. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- ^ "World Youth Forum". wyfegypt.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- ^ a b "Datenbank: BVMI". www.musikindustrie.de. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ "Cairo Steps, Mounir, Abdel Dayem, Helbawy, Younis to perform online concert on YouTube Apr.6". EgyptToday. 5 April 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- ^ "Jazz Award in Gold für Quadro Nuevo und Cairo Steps". 2 December 2018. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- ^ "MusikWoche | News | Quadro Nuevo und Cairo Steps freuen sich über Jazz Award von GLM Music". 1 December 2018. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- ^ "Cairo Steps collect German Jazz Music award at Berlin ceremony – Music – Arts & Culture – Ahram Online". 2 October 2018. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "BasemDarwisch.com | Basem Darwisch Official Website". www.basemdarwisch.com. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
- ^ a b "Basem Darwisch - InfoHub". infohub.projecttopics.org. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Cairo Steps collect German Jazz Music award at Berlin ceremony - Music - Arts & Culture - Ahram Online". 22 October 2018. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ "Jazz Award in Gold für Quadro Nuevo und Cairo Steps". 2 December 2018. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2020.