The 17th edition of Cairo International Jazz Festival
(30 October- 7 November)
Tahrir Cultural Centre (TCC)
AUC’s Tahrir Campus, Al-Sheikh Rihan St, off Tahrir Square, Tel 02 2615 2694/01280009077
Ewart Memorial Hall and Garden Stage
Thurs 30, 8pm: The spectacular opening night bridges East and West through the sounds of jazz and classical fusion featuring Joseph Tawadros and The Egyptian Recording Orchestra, conducted by Wagdy El Fiwy. (9.30pm) Søren Baun Trio (Denmark).
Fri 31, 5pm: Standard Issue (Egypt), Garden Stage.
Ziad Hisham (Egypt) 6pm, Ewart Memorial Hall.
The Gypsy Jazz Project (Egypt), 7:15pm, Garden Stage.
João Barradas Trio (Portugal), 8:30pm, Ewart Memorial Hall. Wust El Balad (Egypt), 9:30pm, Garden Stage.
Sat 1 November, 6pm: The festival brings an unforgettable fusion of European innovation, Middle Eastern expression, Spanish mastery and Egyptian alternative flair — all in one evening:
Jiří Kotača and Alf Carlsson Quartet (Czech Republic/Sweden/Slovakia), 6pm, Ewart Memorial Hall.
Mohamed Rajab Quartet (Syria/Egypt), 7:15pm, Garden Stage.
Marco Mezquida Trio (Spain), 8:30 pm, Ewart Memorial Hall.
Hany Must (Egypt) – 9:45 pm, Garden Stage.
Fri 7, 2pm: The CJF concludes with a magnificent closing day celebrating creativity, diversity and the timeless power of jazz — from children’s workshops to global performances and a grand musical tribute.
Jazzinino (Band makers Showcase) – Egypt, 2pm, Fountain Stage.
Andreas Schaerer – A Novel of Anomaly (Switzerland), 7pm, Ewart Memorial Hall.
Homage to Ziad Al-Rahbany, 9pm, Ewart Memorial Hall.
Rawabet Art Space
5 Hussien Pasha El-Meaamar St. ext. of Mahmoud Bassiouny St, Maarouf, Qasr El Nil, Downtown
Thurs 6, 8pm: Shingo Knob – Switzerland.
El Sawy Culturewheel
End of 26th of July St, underneath the 15th of May Bridge, Zamalek, Tel 2736 8881/6178/2737 4448
Wisdom Hall
Sun 2, 8pm: Timo Fulbrecht (Fly Magic) project – Germany. (9.30pm) A concert by Hazem Shaheen, leading Egyptian oud player, singer, and composer, celebrated as one of the Arab world’s most prominent independent artists.
Mon 3, 8pm: Eswed w Abyad (Black & White) is a collaborative project by accordionist Wael Elsayed and pianist Faisal Fouad, inspired by the shared black and white keys of their instruments (Egypt). (9.30pm) Laura Kipp Quartet (Germany/Egypt). Laura expresses the freedom and complexity of Jazz together with the instant emotional power of Pop, Soul and Chanson.
Tues 4, 8pm: Tarek Raouf ensemble (Egypt). 9.30pm Rana Haggag, Egyptian artist with a classical music background.
Wed 5, 8pm: Sanem Kalfa Quartet: Televizyon (NL), led by Dutch-based Turkish vocalist and composer Sanem Kalfa, revives the nostalgia of 1980s Turkish TV commercials through sound, blending pop, electronic elements, and improvisation. Their music invites listeners on an energetic journey across genres, where recognition meets surprise(9:30pm) Jamila & the Other Heroes (Palestine/Germany/Egypt). She composes songs that appeal to a hybrid audience identifying with the band’s diaspora narratives and their musical fight against racism, and sexism.
Teatro Arkan
Arkan Plaza, El-Sheikh Zayed, Giza, Egypt
Tues 4, 8pm: El Dor El Awal band (Egypt).
Thurs 6, 8pm: Sara Moullablad is a Moroccan singer based in Cairo, known for her unique musical style that blends jazz and funk with elements of Moroccan and African heritage.
ALEXANDRIA
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 4839999
Conference Centre Small Hall
Sat 1 Nov, 7pm: Timo Fulbrecht is a German artist who is one of the most prominent saxophonists and conductors of contemporary jazz in both Germany and New York. His style brilliantly blends jazz energy and delicate simplicity, soundscapes with post-rock rhythms, all in a lyrical mold that relies on improvisation as a tool to explore new horizons.
Wed 5, 7pm: Andreas Schaerer – A Novel of Anomaly;
Swiss jazz singer Andreas Schaerer takes us on an engaging musical journey with his fellow musicians.
Conference Centre Main Hall
Mon 3, 7pm: Jamila & the Other Heroes (Palestine/Germany/Egypt).
Arab Music Institute
22 Ramsis St, Tel 02 2574 3373
Sun 2, 8.30pm: Religious chanting by El-Enshad Al-Dini troupe.
Beit Al-Seheimi
Al-Moez St, Al-Darb Al Asfar Alley, Al-Gamaleya District, Tel 02 2787 8865
Every Sunday, 7.30pm (Free entry): The Nile Troupe for Folk Instruments, founded by artist Zakariya El-Hagawy, performs dances and songs from Upper Egypt on mizmar, tabla and other traditional musical instruments.
Every Friday, 8pm (Free entry): “Alaragouz wa Khayal Al-Zel” (The Karakouz and The Shadow Puppet), a free public performance by clowns in Al-Muaaz Street, presented by Wamda and directed by its founder and scripter Nabil Bahgat.
Cairo Opera House
Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Tel 02 2737 0602/2736 0361, box office 02 2739 0132/0144
Main Hall
Sat 1 Nov, 8.30pm: The Cairo Symphony Orchestra.
Wed 5, 8.30pm: The Cairo Opera Orchestra gives a gala concert, conducted by maestro Mohamed Saad Basha, in collaboration with Turkey embassy.
Thurs 6, 8.30pm: The National Arab Music ensemble in a repertoire of classical Arab songs.
Open-Air Theatre
Sat 1 Nov, 8.30pm: Al-Hadra troupe for Sufi chanting.
Al-Ghouri Dome
111 Al-Azhar St, Al-Ghouriya, Tel 02 2506 0227
Al-Tanoura whirling dervishes perform to live Sufi music
(Performances every Sat and Wed, 7pm).
Fri 31, 6.30pm: An energetic and colourful performance by India’s renowned Rangla Punjabi Dance Troupe, visiting Egypt to participate in the Ismailia International Folk Festival. Through their vibrant costumes, dynamic choreography, and spirited rhythms, the troupe will bring to life the rich folk traditions of India.
Le Lac du Caire
Al-Fustat, Al-Khalifa district, Ain Al-Sira, Giza
Thurs 30, 9pm: From the minds of Kord and powered by Monster Energy, this Halloween event brings an electrifying lineup featuring Floyd Lavine, Misty, Awadly, and Kidmims.
Makan
1 Saad Zaghloul St, Al-Mounira, Cairo, Tel 2792 0878
Every Tuesday, 8pm: Mawawil features vocalists Hend and Sara in a repertoire of traditional music of the Nile Delta, Al Jaafra music played by Arab Tribes from Aswan and Nass Makan band.
Every Wednesday, 8pm: Zar music and songs by Mazaher ensemble featuring Umm Sameh, Umm Hassan and Nour Al-Sabah.
Room Art Space & Café
10 Etihad Al Mohamin, Garden City, Tel 01000 068 159
Thurs 30, 8pm: A spooky live rock night filled with electrifying music, killer vibes, and a hauntingly fun atmosphere.
Tues 4 Nov, 8pm: Karaoke night.
Thurs 6, 8pm: Amr Diab tribute ft. Hadeer and Ghadeer.
The Spot mall, infront of AUC Gate 4, New Cairo
Thurs 30, 9pm: Karaoke night.
Fri 31, 8pm: A stand-up comedy and interaction show by Rovi Shannat.
Mon 3 Nov, 8pm: Open Mic.
Tues 4, 8pm: Back to the 90s – in English — a vibrant live show celebrating the unforgettable sound and spirit of the 1990s with Mariam Daba the lead vocalist, Moody and Barkouky on guitars, Souidan on bass, Youssef Tag El Din on drums, and Norhan Zaki on keys, this six-piece band brings you a fresh and energetic take on iconic English tracks from the 90s.
Wed 5 and Thurs 6, 8pm: Karaoke night.
El Sawy Culturewheel
End of 26th of July St, underneath the 15th of May Bridge, Zamalek, Tel 2736 8881/6178/2737 4448
River Hall
Thurs 30, 8pm (standing): Black Theama band.
Sat 1 Nov, 8pm: Track band.
Thurs 6, 8pm: Tablet Elsitt band.
Wisdom Hall
Thurs 30, 8pm: Cassette 90s
Thurs 6, 6pm and 8pm: El Sawy Culturewheel Puppet Theatre Show revives the concerts of late diva Umm Kolthoum performing two of her much-loved songs.
ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre)
Fouad St, Mahatat Al-Raml, Alexandria, Tel 03/486 5106
Tues 4, 8.30pm: The Talents Development Centre concert.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 4839999
Conference Centre Main Hall
Fri 31, 8pm: Tablet Elsitt band.
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