RAGAB AND THE CAIRO JAZZ BAND, SALAH - Present Egyptian Jazz: Ramadan In Space Time

Salah Ragab formed the first jazz big band in Egypt (The Cairo Jazz Band) in 1968, he was also the leader of the Military Music Departments in Heliopolis. Some of the best musicians in Egypt of that time were members of the band such as Zaki Osman (trumpet), Saied Salama (tenor sax), Khamis El -Kholy (piano), Ala Mostafa (piano). On this recording, The Band consists of five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, piano, bass, drums and percussion. This record represents The Cairo Jazz Band responding to the American jazz scene of the 60s and 70s with influences from Mongo Santamaria to Randy Weston and Sun Ra. These tracks were first presented by The Ministry Of Culture in Cairo as a Prism Music Production and released with an additional disk by the composer Soliman Gamil. This release marks the first time Salah Ragab and The Cairo Jazz Bands definitive works are presented to the West. - Art Yard.