Modernized Upper Egyptian music to be premiered in Cairo

CAIRO – 28 November 2017: Aswan-based musician Mohamed Basheer will be staging Darb1718 Contemporary Art and Culture Center, releasing a new music album with hus band “Basheer”, as part of Darb’s MazzikaxSat7 event series on December 7, 2017.

The Aswani musician, whose stage name is “Basheer”, is inspired by the sounds of the “Ja’ffary” music of Upper Egypt. “Ja’ffary” groups typically consist of a lead singer, a band, and a group of backing vocals. The musical sounds used are a mix of hand clapping and percussion instruments.

Basheer fuses this traditional Upper Egyptian musical practice with modern sounds and technology. The band contains a variety of instruments, including a modern drum set, electronic keyboard, string instruments (violin as well as oud and other Egyptian traditional instruments), and woodwind instruments (like the saxophone). The style is nostalgic and interesting, and the lyrics return the audience to the beauty of rural life that is often celebrated in the songs of Upper Egypt.

Mohamed Basheer discussed the importance of using and remembering traditional music styles and themes and staying attached to cultural identity. He enjoys incorporating Southern Egyptian dialect while singing, staying true to his heritage and performing an authentic expression of Egyptian music, he previously mentioned in an interview with CairoScene last year.

MazzikaxSat7 is a series of monthly concerts held on the rooftop of Darb’s center. It is said to offer a unique experience for concert-goers with the interesting atmosphere created by the open space and choice of music for the night.