According to Amr Salah, founder and president of the festival, the 17th edition of the Cairo Jazz Festival (CJF, 30 October–7 November) will feature more than 50 percent Egyptian participation.
The festival will take place across numerous stages, from the American University in Cairo (Tahrir Campus) to the halls of El Sawy Culturewheel and Rawabet Arts Space. The festival will also extend to Sheikh Zayed City, with performances at Teatro Arkan, while Alexandria will host events at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Jesuit Cultural Centre.
Joseph Tawadros
Among the highlights this year is the opening performance by world-renowned Egyptian-Australian oud player Joseph Tawadros.
Tawadros comes from an Egyptian family that migrated to Australia in the early 1980s, where he grew up and studied music. He has performed with major orchestras such as the BBC Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, and Melbourne Philharmonic, and maintains continuous global tours throughout the year.
His prolific musical output includes collaborations with international artists such as American guitarists John Abercrombie and Mike Stern, bassist Christian McBride, Cameroon-born American multi-instrumentalist and singer Richard Bona, and American musician and film director Béla Fleck. Tawadros has won eight ARIA Awards in Australia, considered equivalent to the Grammy Awards, and he received the Order of Australia in 2016 in recognition of his global artistic achievements.
He will open the Cairo Jazz Festival on 30 October at Ewart Memorial Hall (AUC), accompanied by the Egyptian Recording Orchestra (ERO) under the baton of maestro Wagdy El-Fewy.
Wust El-Balad
Another major Egyptian participant is the band Wust El-Balad, considered a pioneer of the independent music movement.
The band was co-founded by oud and flute player Ahmed Omran and guitarist and vocalist Hany Adel. The group also includes vocalist Adham El-Saeid, percussionist and drummer Mohamed (Mizo) Gamal El-Din, bassist Ahmed Omar, acoustic guitarist Asaad Nessim, and percussionist Ehab (Bob) Abdel-Hameed.
During the CJF, they will present their latest songs on the festival’s second day, Friday 31 October, at the American University’s open-air garden.
Ziad Hisham
On 31 October, Ziad Hisham will also perform at AUC.
Hisham is a London-based guitarist and composer who blends jazz with Egyptian heritage, creating music that fuses traditional elements with modern innovation. He is known for his unique style, which incorporates jazz harmonies with Egyptian maqam textures and rhythms, as well as his work as a producer.
He released his debut EP, On a Personal Level, in 2023, which was recorded across Cairo, Paris, and London.
Gypsy Jazz Project
A new addition to this year’s program is the Gypsy Jazz Project, led by young guitarist Michael Adel and his colleagues. They will take the stage at El Sawy Culturewheel on 31 October.
One of the pioneers of gypsy jazz in Cairo’s local music scene, the ensemble is influenced by the style of renowned musicians such as Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli.
Hazem Shaheen
The festival will also host renowned oud player, composer, and singer Hazem Shaheen, who worked with the late musician Ziad Rahbani in his final years. Shaheen has a long history as an independent artist, presenting his work in the early 2000s with his band Eskandarella.
He will perform his latest release, the album Dhikr, which presents Sufi music in a contemporary style.
Shaheen’s performance will take place on Sunday, 2 November, at Wisdom Hall, El Sawy Culturewheel, Zamalek.
Hany Mostafa
Egyptian singer and composer Hany Mostafa is also an important participant this year.
Mostafa is known for his introspective lyrics, socially conscious themes, and innovative musical arrangements. His work draws on a wide range of influences—from traditional Egyptian music to global rock and jazz—creating a distinctive sound that resonates with both older and younger audiences.
He has released numerous songs on digital platforms and performed in major cultural events across Egypt, including previous appearances at the Cairo Jazz Festival.
Black and White
Black and White is a musical project bringing together acclaimed accordionist Wael El-Sayed and jazz pianist Faisal Fouad in an engaging musical dialogue. This duo combines visual effects with music in a groundbreaking experience that is the first of its kind.
They will perform on 3 November at El Sawy Culturewheel.
Tarek Raouf Ensemble
On 4 November, trumpet player Tarek Raouf will perform a selection of his original compositions with his brass ensemble at El Sawy Culturewheel. The group is known for its unique fusion of international jazz harmonies with authentic Egyptian melodies and rhythms.
Raouf, a classically trained musician who performed with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, created the ensemble to explore a more personal musical language that combines his diverse classical and Egyptian backgrounds with the improvisational freedom of jazz.
Rana Haggag
On 4 November, the festival will also host Egyptian jazz singer Rana Haggag with her 14-member band.
Haggag is one of Egypt’s leading contemporary jazz vocalists, known for her dynamic performances and versatile repertoire that spans classic jazz standards and original compositions. Over the years, she has participated in major jazz festivals in Egypt and abroad, helping to raise the profile of Egyptian jazz on the international stage.
Cairo Jazz Festival
The 17th edition of the Cairo Jazz Festival will take place between 30 October and 7 November.
The upcoming edition is dedicated to the late Lebanese composer and cultural icon Ziad Rahbani. As part of the programming, the festival will feature a special concert, a film screening, and a seminar highlighting Rahbani’s enduring influence on Arab music and theatre.
Besides the strong presence of Egyptian artists, the festival also welcomes artists from 14 other countries—including Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland—offering a rich mix of traditional and experimental jazz.
In addition to live performances, the festival includes interactive workshops, Jazz Talks, film screenings, after-hour jam sessions, and a dedicated Jazzino programme for children—blending performance, education, and cultural exchange in celebration of jazz as a global language.
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