Rania Khallaf is amazed at how blues music has acquired such a huge following in Egypt For the second time this year, the blues have tuned into Egyptian sound waves. This April saw an Opera House audience's first encounter with American blues music, an event that resounded with success. The concert, held under the auspices of the American Embassy in Cairo, was attended by the American ambassador to Egypt, Margaret Scobey, who was so taken by the music that she was not shy to stand up and dance with the band. The band members appreciated the unexpected interaction with the audience that they asked the embassy to arrange another concert in the near future. So it was that Steve Simon, the band's director, told the Cairo press last week that he had the pleasure of coming back to present the blues to fans of the genre in Egypt. The band members have been performing all over the world for many years, but, Simon told the press conference held at the Semiramis InterContinental Hotel, they had never had the excited response they received at their first appearance at the Cairo Opera House. "After the show we asked embassy officials if they could arrange another concert for us because we had such a fabulous time," Simon said. "And here we are again, and it really feels great." This time the band's visit included three concerts at Cairo University, the Opera House and the Sound and Light Theatre. "We wanted to present American blues to the Egyptian youth, and this is why we wanted to play at Cairo University," he added. Simon is the founder of Moonlight Blues, one of the largest blues concert production companies in the world. He is also the creator and co-producer of Bluzapalooza, the show that took Cairo by storm last April. The shows came under the slogan "American Blues on the Nile". "This music tells the story of black Americans, the story of their struggle and their challenges to get humane and responsible treatment from other Americans," Simon said. "The music started in the fields where black Americans worked as slaves. The slaves were not allowed to talk, even to each other, unless they were asked questions by their masters. So the music actually started as a way for the slaves to talk to each other. Hence, singing was the way to communicate through call and response, as they were not told not to sing," he explained. "The story of blues, historically speaking, is the story of music that talks about feeling good when you are feeling bad. It is the heart and soul of America," he told the press at the conference organised by the American Embassy in Cairo. "Blues music is also known as the American roots music," Simon went on. "The Delta region witnessed the beginning of these roots." Simon then introduced another prominent member of the band to the press: Zac Harmon, who was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. Harmon is a disciple of the Farish Street blues sound, which is universally known as the home of many great blues legends including the late, great Elmore James. "Most black Americans are rooted in Mississippi," Harmon said, adding, "It is truly an incredible pleasure to me and other members of the band to be here in Egypt, the heart of Africa, which is, naturally, the original roots for our music. "In Mississippi there were different interpretations of blues. The style of blues that I play is more of the Delta style. Jazz music is one of the trends of the blues," he added. In 2004 Harmon, a guitarist, organist and vocalist, won the Blues Foundation's 2004 International Blues Challenge. "I want all people to come to our concerts, but take a real deep breath before we start, because you won't be able to exhale until the end of the concert," Harmon grinned. Asked whether he saw a future for jazz music in Egypt, Harmon said, "blues is infectious. Its roots came from Africa. We already have it in our hearts, so I believe all lovers of blues will increase in time." Asked if the blues was still flourishing in the United States, Harmon said the blues had many trends, and its popularity among Americans in the US was incredible. "We are going to play songs that represent different styles and trends in blues, including new songs written by members of this band," Harmon added. "Blues records are among the best sold albums in the States." Last Tuesday the band presented their first show at Cairo University, with free gate entry to all students. Part of the programme included the band playing together with the Egyptian group Wust Al-Balad, one of the most popular bands in this country. The hall hosted 2,000 students from inside and outside the university. "We are excited to play with Wust Al-Balad. We know it's one of the best pop bands in Egypt, and they will travel in the next few months to present their show in the States," Harmon said. "It is a thrill to be in Cairo, it is a kind of dream to come back to this great country once again. I am so enthusiastic to play my music, and I am full of joy," the blues pianist, saxophonist and song writer Deanna Bogart told reporters. Bogart, known among the American blues community as a triple threat, is a blues Music Award winner and is one of the most in-demand blues artists in the world today. So, on the day following the press conference, the blues once again swamped the Cairo Opera House, and men and women, old and young stood up to dance. Bogart flitted from one side of the theatre to the other playing her saxophone; mingling with the audience and helping to create a festive mood. "Are you ready to celebrate?" she asked them. The Opera House security men responsible for controlling the show were completely confused. The audience had gone crazy with the music, standing up and dancing and generally causing a gentle chaos. Simon, Bogart and Harmon, defying the security men, stepped down from the stage and danced with the already animated audience.
