This week many Egyptians stood to witness a new invader that filled the historical citadel that overlooks the Islamic District of Cairo. Foreign and local jazz players filled the ancient grounds with the unique sounding style of music that most of the general audience that hadn’t heard before.
The organizer, famous Egyptian jazz percussionist and producer Yehia Khalil, shared his enthusiastic vision for the event: exposing a wide range of Egyptian audiences to his favorite art form, regardless of the costs.
The festival was appropriately named, “Jazz Mania, International Jazz Festival”. Acts ranged from the acclaimed French accordionist Richard Galliano, to local Egypt Jazz Bands, Cacoon and Sweet Sound Band, to a more alternative forms of Jazz with Ron Dziubla’s Jazz-Rock band.
With the help of Khalil’s radio and television programs “The World of Jazz” as well as through the work of his Foundation for the Culture of Jazz Music, Khalil aspired to popularize jazz and educate audiences of the region. This is precisely why he insisted that no fee be charged to attend Jazz Mania.
“This was my main request from the beginning,” said Khalil, “we got the embassies to bring everybody, and the opera provided us with the stage and the equipment, and any other expenses I pay out of my pocket. I didn’t want to talk about the money from the beginning.”
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It wasn’t clear whether the large audience came out because the concert was free or because they wanted to listen to Jazz, but by the end of the night it became clear that the audience had a new appreciate of Jazz. Egyptian women in traditional Hijabs (the head scarf that women cover themselves with) were tapping there feet and shrugging their shoulders to the beat. At some points over the three day festival people even began to dance throughout the crowd.
Rena was one of those young Egyptians in the crowd who began to find body slowly moving to the music around her. She swore that she never listened to the music before and came out with a European friend who really admires Jazz.
“I have a new appreciation for this music. Before I never thought I would care to listen to it, but I found out tonight I really enjoy it” she said.
While throughout the crowd there were a large number of international viewers, the primary audience consisted of Egyptians. The festival was intended to cater towards Egyptians as well. Whenever Khalil walk on stage to introduce a band or thank them for their performance he spoke in Arabic with few English translation.
While it was obvious that the audience appreciated the festival, the bands also expressed their gratitude for the chance to play. Ron Dziubla thank Khalil before he began his last song saying, “While this is my third time playing in Egypt I always feel very grateful to play in such a beautiful place for such amazing people.”
The festival’s three day span allowed hundreds of people to enjoy a type of music that is completely foreign to the Middle East. For many of the audience members, they will wait in anticipation for next’s years Jazz Mania line-up and performances.
