Événement

Egyptian Grammy Award-Winning Fathy Salama in Concert at Alwan

The Arab World's Only Grammy and BBC Awards Winner, Fathy Salama, at Alwan!

Producer, composer, arranger and pianist Fathy Salama has influenced the World Music scene immeasurably. His music reflects his experience of the Middle East and Europe, as he works tirelessly on linking the bridge between traditional and modern music from the Orient.

"There is nothing more interesting than forging new styles, and nothing more exciting." - Fathy Salama

About Fathy Salama

Cairo-born Fathy Salama's first introduction to music was through Arab greats like Om Kalthoum, Mohamed Abdel Wahab and Farid El Atrash and through occidental classical music such as Bartok and Tchaikovsky. He started playing the piano at the age of six, and by thirteen he was playing gigs in Cairo clubs. Salama went on to study jazz in Egypt and then in the United States with jazz legends like Barry Harris, Hal Galper, Malik Osman, Pat Patrick and Sun Ra. The studies included Jazz scales, harmony, improvisation, Arabic scales, rhythms, improvisation, writing for string sections and writing scores for films.

Salama has been active since the 80s when he started composing and arranging music for Egyptian popstars. Around these times he put together his group "Sharkiat", and came out with their first album "Camel Dance" in 1991. They continue to tour around the world. Salama also put together a second group "Gouzour", presenting traditional Arab rhythms.

Throughout his career, Salama has worked with a wide variety of musicians and dancers from around the world, held workshops, composed music for films, such as the score for "Al-Mosafer" (2008), and been the artistic advisor of the "Jazz Factory"; the first international jazz festival in Egypt.

In 2004, Salama's album "Egypt" received a Grammy and BBC Award for "Best Contemporary World Music Album". "Egypt" was a collaboration between him and Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour, with which they toured throughout Africa, Europe and the United States.