"Saphir" is a music project created by Basem Darwisch that combines elements of traditional oriental music with the golden harp. The name "Saphir" is derived from the French word for "sapphire," which is a precious gemstone that is often associated with elegance and beauty. The project aims to bring together the rich cultural heritage of the orient with the timeless beauty of the harp, creating a unique and captivating sound.
The project will feature original compositions that blend traditional oriental instruments such as the oud, and Nay with the harp. The music will be heavily influenced by the traditional music of the Arab world, but will also incorporate elements of jazz, classical, and world music. The goal is to create a sound that is both authentic and contemporary, that can be enjoyed by both traditional music enthusiasts and modern audiences.
Basem Darwisch is a well-known composer, arranger, and producer who has worked with a variety of artists in the Arab world. He has extensive experience in blending traditional and contemporary music styles, and is well-suited to lead this project. The project is expected to be produced and released in a form of album or ep and will be marketed and promoted through a variety of channels including social media, streaming platforms and live performances .
Overall, "Saphir" is an exciting and ambitious music project that has the potential to bring something truly unique and captivating to the world of music. The combination of traditional oriental music and the golden harp is sure to create a sound that is both beautiful and innovative, and that will appeal to a wide range of audiences.

SAPHIR

Music by Evelyn Huber and created by Oriental Spirits meet Golden Harp  combines elements of traditional oriental music with the golden harp. The name "Inward" implies the aim to bring the listener to an inner journey of self-discovery and contemplation, through the blending of traditional oriental instruments and the harp, which is known for its soothing and meditative qualities.

INWARD

Adagio ft. Sheikh Ehab Younis Naiem Redak   
/ Cairo Steps      نَعيمُ رِضَاكَ   الشيخ ايهاب يونس
based on Adagio d'Albinoni
Idea & Concept and Oud: Basem Darwisch 
Percussions: Max Klaas 
Cello: Jan Boshra   
Violins: Maria Voigt & Angelika Löw-Beer 
Duduk: Rageed William 
E-Bass:  Stefan Hergenröder
soprano saxophone: Wolfgang Wittemann 
Oberlin Studios – Nikolaos Rondelies – M’gladbach -Germany
Edited, Mixed & Master: Bassem Sobhy

Adagio ft. Sheikh Ehab Younis Naiem Redak    with Cairo Steps      نَعيمُ رِضَاكَ   الشيخ ايهاب يونس

In this episode of *Marassi*,on Monte Carlo Radio  Misha Khalil welcomes the Egyptian oud player and composer Basem Darwisch, the founder of Cairo Steps. The band has brilliantly bridged the gap between East and West with its unique musical fusion. By blending authentic Egyptian heritage with Western styles like jazz, classical, and experimental music, Cairo Steps has gained remarkable recognition in European and global music scenes.في هذه الحلقة من مراسي، تستقبل ميشا خليل عازف العود والمؤلف الموسيقي المصري باسم درويش، مؤسس فرقة كايرو ستيبس، التي نجحت في مد جسور فنية بين الشرق والغرب من خلال مزيج موسيقي فريد. تأسست الفرقة على رؤية تجمع بين التراث المصري الأصيل وألوان موسيقية غربية، مثل الجاز والموسيقى الكلاسيكية والتجريبية، ما جعلها تحظى باهتمام واسع في الأوساط الموسيقية الأوروبية والعالمية.يتحدث باسم درويش عن رحلته مع كايرو ستيبس، ودور الفرقة في تقديم الموسيقى المصرية في قالب عصري يجعلها أقرب إلى الجمهور الغربي، مع الحفاظ على جوهرها الروحي والتقليدي. كما يتناول الإصدار الأخير للفرقة "لما قسى قلبي", الذي يجمع بين صوت الشيخ إيهاب يونس وأداء الممثل والمغني هاني عادل، في تجربة موسيقية تجسد روح البحث والتجديد التي تميز أعمال الفرقة.

ولا يخلو الحوار من الحديث عن التعاون مع رباعي كوادرو نويفو، إحدى الفرق الألمانية الأكثر شهرة في الساحة الموسيقية المعاصرة، حيث يستعرض باسم درويش كيف أثمرت هذه الشراكة عن مشاريع موسيقية مزجت بين العود الشرقي والنغم الغربي في تآلف متناغم.
حلقة تأخذنا في رحلة عبر الألحان والأنغام، حيث الموسيقى تصبح لغة عالمية تعبر الحدود وتصل إلى القلوب.
إعداد:
ميشا خليل

Monte Carlo Radio Interview with Basem Darwisch 31MAR2025

German Jazz Award 2018 for the Album Flying Carpet together with Quadro Nuevo
Building Bridges between cultures and to send an indirect message to the audience, creating an positive image about the Egyptian Culture Heritage was the reason why Basem Darwisch founded the German/Egyptian Band Cairo Steps in 2003 .
Cairo Steps merges and combines traditional Egyptian and oriental grooves with modern jazz and classics , using vocal inserts with old Arabic poems . it is a mix between improvisation, classical music and contemporary sounds. The music is influenced by spiritual ethnic music as well as European music traditions and alternates between strong unison rhythms, virtuoso solos and meditative soundscapes. The result is a unique music style and an exciting blend of various cultures
Basem could manage to make Cairo Steps plays the role of the umbrella that has all of the different musical genres and experiences merged together all the way from spiritual chants to modern classics with their own flavor and to pursues the vision of crossing cultural, political and religious borders and building bridges between the occident and the orient. Basem Darwisch’s Vision is to present the audience with a tense spiritual musical experience as language that can help them transcend over their earthly matters and to use the concert to create an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance of other and different cultures advocating the motto “Music is the bonding force” 
His Vision is also to leave an positive impression about the Egyptian culture heritage through short speeches , visuals and introductions during Cairo Steps concerts in Europe in very well known opera houses and theaters e.g. : Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Philharmonie Berlin, Alte Oper Frankfurt, Prinzregententheater München, Theaterhaus Stuttgart  , Kuwait , Abou Dhabi and Cairo Opera House etc.
discography:
2017 „Flying Carpet“ – Cairo Steps & Quadro Nuevo (album)
2017 „Gnossienne No. 1“ feat. Sheikh Ehab Younis (single)
2014 „Arabiskan“ (album)
2004 „Oud Lounge“ (album)
contact : management@cairosteps.com
https://www.facebook.com/cairosteps/
videography:
2017/04 „Ikarus’ Dream“ - Cairo Steps & Quadro Nuevo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-DTbh_wSys
2017/03 „Flying Carpet“ - Cairo Steps & Quadro Nuevo https://youtu.be/Va8WqXDm7Mo
2017/01 „Gnossienne No. 1“ – Cairo Steps feat. Sheikh Ehab Younis (more than 2,1 Mio. facebook views and 500.000 youtube views) https://youtu.be/FOpblB88D18
2015/02 „Sultan“ – Cairo Steps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG0Dnz5fhVY

productions:
2015/12 Mohamed Mounir - „Ana Mennek Etaalemt“ 
(#1 Egypt single charts, more than 6 Mio. youtube views) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2WamOKFaCo

https://www.youtube.com/c/CairoStepsofficial
https://vimeo.com/cairosteps

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