Le Cri Du Caire (FR/EG)

An Egyptian singer Abdullah Miniawy, British saxophonist Peter Corser, German cellist Karsten Hochapfel and French trumpeter Erik Truffaz. Together, they form Le Cri du Caire, whose album, at the crossroads of jazz, rock, Sufi poetry and spoken word, was released at the end of January. 

The project, which has already been presented on various stages in France, revolves around the hypnotic and poignant voice, sometimes on the verge of breaking, of Miniawy, a 28-year-old poet and slammer who has become the spokesperson for a youth in need of hope following the failure of the 2011 revolution and the seizure of power by Marshal Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi.

The virtuoso Sufi chant, whispered or shouted over a carpet of hypnotic loops, leads the listener into a trance-like mystical journey. Spirituality and freedom come together in the same desire for invention and sharing, to carry the hopes of peoples whose voices have been muzzled in the face of political, social and religious oppression. Somewhere between rock, Sufi poetry, jazz, spoken word and oriental volutes, Le Cri du Caire invents a metaphorically powerful universe that transcends identities and borders.

After 5 years of triumphant touring in France, over 65 concerts and no less than 40,000 spectators, the Cri du Caire album was named 2023 Victoire du Jazz in the World Music Album category, ahead of Souad Massi. Recorded at the Abbaye de Noirlac, this debut album has already won rave reviews from the French press - Télérama, Le Monde, France Musique and RFI.

Line up

• Abdullah Miniawy: vocals, lyrics
• Peter Corser: saxophone, clarinet
• Karsten Hochapfel: cello

The concert is generously supported by The Danish Institute of Damascus and Nørrebro Lokaludvalg.

The concert is produced and presented by Final Descent together with Union.