The 3rd annual Cairo Jazz Festival 2011 (CJF 2011) will run from 17 to 19 March, at El Sawy Culturewheel providing jazz education and entertainment from a shared perspective on global jazz culture The Cairo Jazz Festival (CJF) is an international event, which due to the widespread success of the previous two occasions in 2009 and 2010, aims to repeat this experience once again with Amro Salah as the director. His great skills as a renowned musician, composer and pianist in the contemporary Egyptian music scene led him to found AGWA PRODUCTIONS in 2009, the official organiser of the event. CJF 2011 will provide non-profit educational services to music students and jazz lovers through performances, workshops, lectures and clinics. Sixteen local and international bands will be performing in CJF 2011 from Egypt, Japan, Germany, Spain, USA, Holland, Austria, Slovenia and Australia. CJF 2011 proudly dedicates its 3rd edition to the innocent souls of the Martyrs of the 25 January Revolution of Egypt 2011, who gave their lives for the sake of freedom for their country. The theme of this special edition of CJF will be related to Egypt and the revolution and to supporting Egyptian handmade products. The Coptic society “Friends of the Holy Bible” will showcase their handmade goods during the Festival. A special programme dedicated to children (Jazzinino) is being offered this year for young people to experience the pleasure and excitement of being on stage next to a real jazz professional. Schoolchildren and their family members are invited to attend and participate, making music alongside professionals, while enjoying a sunny Friday and Saturday in the Garden of Wisdom Hall. The aim of the programme is to create awareness of music as an educational resource and encourage young people to choose music as a lifelong pursuit while fostering music education and performance as a legitimate career choice. The German Women's Jazz Orchestra will appear for the first time at CJF 2011 led by Angelika Niescier. The Egyptian jazz singer Noha Fekry from “The Riff Band” will conduct a special interview with Angelika Niescier to highlight the experiences of an all-women Jazz Orchestra and to discuss the female role in taking the lead in the art sector. The interview aims to encourage the development of the individuality and independence of the Egyptian woman. "Jazz beyond Stage" shows will be taking place at the Cairo Jazz Club every night from 11 pm. onwards. "Jazz beyond Stage" will provide a place for musicians to meet, exchange contacts and do business, while having fun making music together in Cairo's foremost jazz club. CJF 2011 is focusing this year on promoting natural products, foods and handmade accessories. CJF 2011 is being organised in a "smoke free" zone. An open jam session will be held every Saturday during the time of the festival at the Word Hall. The Cairo Jazz Festival will organise an all-percussions jam session led by the breath-taking “Percussion Show musicians” from Egypt. The jam will feature guest percussionists from Cuba, Brazil, Spain and Egypt. Program Thursday 17 March 2011 6:00 – 8:00 pm Reception (Invitations only) 8:00 – 9:00 pm Cocoon (Egypt) River Hall 9:00 –10:00 pm Adam Miller Group (USA/Egypt) Wisdom Hall 9:30 –11:00 pm Calima (Spain) River Hall Friday 18 March 2011 6:30–7:30 pm Michelle Rounds (Australia) River Hall 7:30–8:30 pm Stelzhamma (Austria) Wisdom Hall 8:00–9:30 pm Kazumi Watanabe feat, Amro Salah Trio (Japan/Egypt) River Hall 9:00–10:30 pm ARIFA (Holland) Wisdom Hall 10:00–11:30 pm German women Jazz orchestra (Germany) River Hall Saturday 19 March 2011 4:30–6:00 pm The Percussion show Jam session (Egypt) River Garden 6:00–7:00 pm The Riff Band (Egypt) River Hall 7:00–8:00 pm Ramy Attala Quintet (Egypt) Wisdom Hall 8:30–9:30 pm Eftekasat (Egypt) Wisdom Hall 9:30–11:00 pm E.M.J.O (Slovenia/Portugal/Germany) River Hall For the complete program with all activities taking place during the festival, please refer to the festival website: http://www.cairojazzfest.com
