Mohamed Abozekry & Heejaz

Mohamed Abozekry & Heejaz is a Franco-Egyptian band of instrumental music formed in 2010. Led by the young music prodigy Mohamed Abozekry who received the first prize at the international Oud competition in Damascus in 2009,[1] the quartet also includes: Guillaume Hogan (Guitar), Anne Laure Bourget (Percussion instruments) and Hugo Reydet (Double bass).[2]

Mohamed Abozekry & Heejaz
Mohamed Abozekry & Heejaz (from left to right: Anne Laure Bourget, Guillaume Hogan, Hugo Reydet et Mohamed Abozekry)
Mohamed Abozekry & Heejaz (from left to right: Anne Laure Bourget, Guillaume Hogan, Hugo Reydet et Mohamed Abozekry)
Background information
OriginEgypt/France
GenresInstrumental, World music
Years active2010 (2010) – present
LabelsRue Stendhal/Celluloïd
MembersMohamed Abozekry (Oud), Guillaume Hogan (Guitar), Anne Laure Bourget (Percussion Instrument), Hugo Reydet (Double bass)
Websitewww.abozekryheejaz.com

History

The beginnings and the release of the first album

Mohamed Abozekry entered the Arabic Oud House in Cairo at a very early age and received his teaching from Naseer Shamma. At the age of fifteen, he became the youngest professor of Oud in the Arab world.[3]

On the 29th of August 2007, he met Guillaume Hogan during a concert in Cairo. This latter convinced him to continue his musical studies in France where he will enroll in the University of Lyon II in August 2009.[4] Over this period, Mohamed Abozekry composed jazz and blues-inspired music tracks. In 2010, he drew upon some friends from Lyon to join his band. Together they will form the “Heejaz” ".[5] With their unique musical styles, each member of the band has contributed to the singular compositions that define their genre.

In 2011, the band made several tours in France and abroad such as a 10-day road trip across South America. They also performed several concerts in Egypt, Pakistan, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates.[6][7][8]

Chaos is the debut album by Mohamed Abozekry & Heejaz. Released on the 25th of March 2013, it refers to the torment and pain of a young musician who is helplessly watching as his country is going through a revolution.[9] Therefore, every track is told as a story with each event and twist setting the pace and the rhythm of the composition. The track “25 janvier”, initially destined to be included in the album and then eventually withdrawn, pays tribute to the victims of the Egyptian revolution. It is available for free downloading on their official website.[10]

References
  1. Matthias Wagner. Oud competition in Damascus. November 28, 2010. Retrieved June 6, 2013
  2. Official website of the band. « Biographie » Archived 2013-06-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2013
  3. Irène Ranson. « Mohamed Abozekry: Ramadan est l’équivalent de Noel » Archived 2013-06-17 at archive.today. Mondomix. 19 August 2011
  4. Jean Rochard. « Territoires de Luth » Archived 2011-11-07 at the Wayback Machine. Les allumés du jazz. March 2, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2013
  5. Jean Berry. « Mohamed Abozekry, tant de cordes à son Oud ». Jeune Afrique. October 17, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2013
  6. Press Release Department. « Mohamed Abozekry and Heejaz Perform Fusion Jazz At Times Of Arabia in Souk Madinat Jumeirah ». Go Dubai. June 10, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2013
  7. Embassy of France in Cairo. « Mohamed Abozekry et Heejaz au festival Mesk El Lil » Archived 2014-02-22 at the Wayback Machine. September 13, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2013
  8. PDVSA La Estancia. «La Estancia presentara a Mohamed Abozekry». September 7, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2013
  9. Anne Berthod. « Chaos – Mohamed Abozekry & Heejaz ». Télérama n°3299. April 3, 2013 - Update April 6, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013
  10. Official website of the band. « 25 janvier » Archived 2013-06-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2013


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