The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Jazz has long been a music of freedom, expression, and cultural dialogue. For Egyptian jazz legend Ahmed Harfoush, it’s also been a calling, one that has taken him from the streets of Cairo to the world’s most prestigious stages. As The Egyptian Jazz Projekt celebrates its 10th anniversary, Harfoush reflects on a life devoted to blending jazz with Egyptian musical heritage and creating a new sound that resonates across borders.

About Ahmed Harfoush

Born in Egypt and raised partly in the U.S. during the 1980s, Ahmed Harfoush was immersed in American music from a young age. His journey into jazz began in earnest in the early 1990s when he met his late mentor, American music professor Larry Catlin, at the American University in Cairo (AUC). Catlin brought Harfoush into two of AUC’s major choirs, the Osiris Singers and the Cairo Choral Society, where he was exposed to musical theatre, classical music, and jazz.

But it was jazz that truly captivated him. “Jazz is all about freedom of expression, rendition and improvisation,” Harfoush explains. “It’s an approachable universal language that reaches out to everyone.”

About The Egyptian Jazz Projekt

Founded in London in 2015, The Egyptian Jazz Projekt is Harfoush’s most celebrated musical venture. Created to carve out a distinct identity in the London jazz scene, the project quickly gained momentum, especially among Arab and Middle Eastern audiences.

The concept is simple but powerful: take classic Egyptian pop songs, particularly from the golden age of the 1940s and ’50s, and reinterpret them through a jazz lens. The result is a sound that is both nostalgic and entirely new. Harfoush’s interpretations highlight the jazz undertones already present in Egypt’s musical heritage, reintroducing them to a global audience in a sophisticated and accessible format.

Reviving 1950s Egyptian Pop Music in Jazz Style

“The Egyptian film industry’s golden era shaped the entire region’s musical identity,” says Harfoush. “That era produced timeless songs that I believe were always meant for jazz.” With The Egyptian Jazz Projekt, Harfoush carefully studies classic Egyptian songs and collaborates with his band of seasoned musicians to reimagine them. His aim is not just to perform these songs but to elevate their jazz elements, highlighting the genre’s influence on Egyptian music that dates back to the 1940s.

As a result, Harfoush has emerged as a true cultural ambassador. Whether performing at the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room, the Dubai Opera House, or the Giza Pyramids, his mission remains the same: to honour Egypt’s musical legacy and introduce it to new generations and cultures.

Founding the Riff Band (2002)

Harfoush’s influence on the Egyptian jazz scene began much earlier. In 2002, he became the lead vocalist and frontman of The Riff Band after meeting the original instrumental group at Cairo Jazz Club. “They were playing jazz under the name ‘Riff’ when I met them in 2000. They invited me to join, and I eventually rebranded the group,” he recalls.

Under Harfoush’s leadership, the Riff Band became one of Cairo’s premier jazz acts in the early 2000s and remains active to this day. One of their standout projects was a Frank Sinatra tribute series at the Sawy Culture Wheel, which drew large crowds and helped revive interest in classic American jazz in Egypt.

Co-founding the Cairo Jazz Festival (2009)

In 2009, Harfoush took another major step in shaping Egypt’s jazz culture by co-founding the Cairo Jazz Festival alongside fellow musicians Amro Salah and Samer George. “We wanted Cairo to be a stage where musicians from around the world could gather and share their music,” he says. The festival quickly became a key cultural event, positioning Cairo as a global hub for jazz and providing a platform for cross-cultural collaboration.

Looking Ahead: Stage and Symphony

Even as he reflects on past milestones, Harfoush is busy preparing for what’s next. In June 2025, he will take the stage at London’s Peacock Theatre in the West End, starring as Farid ElAtrash alongside Syrian-Armenian singer Lena Chamamyan as Asmahan in a new musical drama that explores the life and legacy of the legendary siblings.

Also on the horizon is a landmark concert featuring The Egyptian Jazz Projekt and Maestro Nayer Nagui. “We’re planning a huge concert where we’ll present the Projekt with a full orchestra. It’s going to be a major moment; don’t miss it.”

A Decade of Jazz, Culture, and Connection

Ten years into The Egyptian Jazz Projekt, Ahmed Harfoush’s work continues to resonate deeply, not just as music but as cultural dialogue. With performances spanning London, Berlin, Vienna, Paris, Melbourne, Rome, and beyond, Harfoush has proven that jazz isn’t just an American art form; it’s a global language that can express the soul of Egypt.

As he blends the rich melodies of Egypt’s past with the freedom and innovation of jazz, Harfoush stands as a testament to how one artist’s vision can cross borders, span decades, and bring people together, one note at a time!