Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Brussels announced a concert featuring the Egyptian band Cairo Steps and the Belgian jazz band Concerto, to be hosted by the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels on December 11, 2025, in partnership with Brussels Muzique.

This event embodies a unique experience where the music and culture of the peoples of the Mediterranean meet in unique harmony and creativity, according to the embassy's social media accounts.

On the other hand, according to the website of the Musical Instrument Museum in Brussels, "Brussels will be the stage for a special encounter: a concert organized by the Egyptian Embassy in Brussels, which is highly anticipated as part of the annual Brussels Music Season.
The Cairo Steps band, internationally renowned for its fusion of traditional Egyptian music, classical elements, and jazz improvisations, will collaborate with Chamber Jazz Consort, a Brussels Music ensemble that combines the intimacy of chamber music with the freedom of jazz.
Together, these two bands will create an evening celebrating cultural exchange between Egypt, Belgium, and Europe – a dialogue between music, heritage, and artistic diplomacy.
In 2002, Egyptian composer and musician Bassem Darwish, based in Germany, founded the Cairo Steps band along with renowned pianist and composer Matthias Frey. Since then, the band has continued to perform." They have toured the world, bringing their unique musical style that blends traditional Egyptian and Eastern music with modern jazz improvisation, classical music, and contemporary sounds.

Artistic Style
Cairo Steps combines diverse musical styles from around the world, merging Egyptian and Eastern traditions with modern jazz improvisation, classical music, and electronic sounds. The band's music is influenced by spiritual music and Sufi traditions, alternating with powerful, harmonious rhythms to create a distinctive and unique sound that incorporates a multitude of cultures. Their concerts feature a selection of their own compositions, as well as selections of classical and Arabic works arranged in a jazz style.

The music is influenced by spiritual ethnic music, Arabic traditions, and the interplay between meditative vocals and powerful rhythms. The result is a unique musical style and an exciting fusion of multiple cultures.

Members
Basem Darwish (Oud)
Rami Attallah (Piano)
Raghid William (Duduk and Ney)
Max Klass (Percussion)
Stefan Hergenroder (Bass)
Performed by The band has performed numerous concerts in renowned venues such as the Frankfurt Opera House, the Hamburg Opera House, the Prinzregente in Munich, and the Stuttgart House, collaborating with musicians and artists from around the world, including performances featured in international live television broadcasts.

In 2020, Cairo Steps continued to expand its musical presence through diverse projects and performances. On June 26, the band released a video for their song "Shams" (Sun), which originally appeared on their 2017 album "Flying Carpet." The video was presented as a virtual performance, showcasing the band's ability to offer innovative musical experiences.

The Egyptian Ministry of Culture also broadcast a recording of a previous concert by the band at the Cairo Opera House as part of its "Culture at Your Fingertips" initiative, which aims to make cultural performances accessible to a wider audience online.

In November 2020, the band participated in the Arab Music Festival, performing at the Cairo Opera House in collaboration with the Cairo Opera Orchestra, conducted by Nayer Nagy, and featuring Sheikh Ehab Younes. This performance was distinguished by its fusion of traditional musical styles. And modern.

In March 2023, Cairo Steps released a new song titled "Al-Imam" (The Imam), inspired by the poem "Let the Days Do What They Will" by Imam Al-Shafi'i. The song was produced in collaboration with Egyptian singer and composer Hany Adel, a member of the band Wust El Balad. This release reflects the band's continued exploration of blending traditional Arabic poetry with modern musical influences. The band also has a long track record of participating in various artistic activities in Egypt and the Arab world.