Guy Schalom

Baladi Blues Ensemble

2007-10-18T19:59:40+01:00

Combing fiery Arabic percussion solos, soulful, intricately woven accordion and saxophone improvisations and a charming and enigmatic stage presence – The Baladi Blues Ensemble are renewing the tradition and taking Egyptian Baladi to new heights!

In the Baladi Blues Ensemble, Guy unites two of Egypt's most renowned master musicians: saxophonist Ahmed El Saidi and quarter-tone accordionist Gamal El Kordi.

Ahmed El Saidi shot to fame as saxophone player with the Nubian groups of Ali Hassan Kuban, Shams Hussein and more recently: Salamat. A key figure in the development of Egyptian Baladi music, Gamal El Kordi was accordionist for the legendary Farid El Atrache and has accompanied the greatest Egyptian dancers including Samia Gamal and Zeinat Helwi.

Arabic Music

2006-10-12T12:00:00+01:00

As solo darabuka player and band leader, Guy Schalom is brings the very best Egyptian Music to UK and European audiences.

His latest CD - Baladi Blues features legendary accordionist Sheik Taha and Berlin saxophonist Ahmed Al Saiidi. Tabla-Tastic!! covers 25 of the most well-known Egyptian rhythms for darabuka. He has appeared with major recording artists as diverse as Natacha Atlas, Mahmoud Fadl, Hijazy Metkal and The Musicians Of The Nile as well as renowned dancer Suraya Hilal.

Music and Dance are closely linked and Guy works regularly with Arabic dancers to convey this connection combining choreographies and on-the-spot improvisations.

He is co-artistic director of Egyptian Dance and Music company Raqs Wa Musica Al Masraya Ltd presenting the artistic and theatrical side of Raqs Sharqi and Egyptian music.

Saiidi Male Stick Dance

2007-07-04T03:26:47+01:00

During his travels in Luxor , Southern Egypt , Guy has made a study of the Saiidi male folk dance style. Using a quarter-staff, this tradition is a fore-runner to the male dancing commonly seen by tourists to Egypt and has it's roots in a combat dance known as Takhteeb. Guy is one of the UK's only male practitioners of this authentic art form.