El Tanbura

El Tanbura is a collective of veteran Egyptian master musicians, singers, fishermen and philosophers. They hail from Port Said, the gateway to the Suez Canal and the world beyond. Like their hometown, El Tanbura boast influences from east and west (and north and south): Gallibiya, Levis and Gucci sunglasses, Fez and Nike caps jostle for prominence. Their music is driven by the seductive call of the simsimiyya - an ancient lyre dating back to the Pharaohs, revered both for its mesmerising properties and occult origins in ancient exorcism rituals. Founded in 1989, El Tanbura perform to enthusiastic audiences across Egypt and have made numerous international festival appearances in Jordan, Tanzania, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Canada and the UK. Their first album was released with the Paris-based Institute du Monde Arab, and they have also collaborated with One Giant Leap on the forthcoming film 2sides2everything.

“An Egyptian Buena Vista Social Club.”
- ArtEast, NY