Farid el Atrache born in the beginning of the 20th century began his career singing and playing the oud on the radio. He later also joined Badia Masabni’s group and from there he also began composing. In Farid’s 40 or so years of performance, he ended up filming 30+ movies and he composed the songs in the movies - for himself, for others and for the dancers. The Aswan Dancers and I produced a show called A Tribute to Farid el Atrache - Music of the Romantic Era - Art Deco Egypt Goes to Hollywood. In this show at the San Francisco Community Music Center (1990) we tried do show the interactive western-eastern influences in music and dance. The musicians: Jad Elias, Hoda el Artiste, Susu Pampanin, Daria Schwarzschild, Gregangelo Herrera and Amina Goodyear.
Below I will post that show in its entirety and then will post other dances from other shows.
.Eleanor Yee Killam played the reluctant harem girl in this interpretation of Farid’s movie music. This was our attempt to question whether Hollywood influenced Farid or did Farid influence Hollywood Raqset Eljawari and Souk Elabib
In this piece I dance to Farid’s song Ana Wenta la Wahdina with Jad Elias on oud and vocals of the Bagdad, Hoda el Artiste on keyboard and Susu and the Cairo Cats
I wanted to choreograph a dance with the chorus dancers sitting down. Could it be done? I think so. In the golden era of Egyptian music and dance many male actor/singers would sing songs of love to the actress/dancers. Here we have Ya Gamil played by Ernest and Amina complete with chorus dancers.who are seated.
In Farid’s movie version of Bessat el Rih, the Magic Carpet, Farid and Samia travel the world on a flying carpet.. Here is our version.
Farid el Atrache was not only a singer, actor and composer, he was also an accomplished oud player. When Jad played a Taqsim at the Bagdad he would often end up playing Farid’s version. Everyone loved it when he did. Here he played it to continue our tribute to Farid.
Ma Ali Oltilu was probably the first dance song I remember hearing at the Bagdad. It was before I started working there and I still remember it (but do not remember who was dancing to it). Here is the song performed by Aliya (Eleanor Yee Killam) and I hope you’ll remember who is dancing. In this case, Jad Elias is singing Farid’s song. In the middle there is a beautiful org Taqsim by Hoda el Artiste who was on tour from Egypt.
Shamira was beloved by all who knew her personally and also those who watched her dance. Here she is dancing to Jad singing Farid’s song Ahbabina. She still is our beloved dancer.
Shara (Judi Chesler) has recently performed to this song with the Aswan Dancers, but here she also performs to this song as a soloist. Hebbina by Farid is sung here by Jad Elias. In this performance he does a beautiful mawal that is matched by.Sahra’s dancing.
Dalal (Shadia) dances to Farid’s colleague Karem Mahmoud (Samra ya Samra and later Aini Bitrif) and ends the dance with a Baladi on the accordion by Hoda el Artiste and a drum solo by Susu with a little help by the Cairo Cats.
In Hoda el Artiste’s piece he starts with modern Egypt - Mashaal but ends with a Farid composed song Zeina ya Zeina to remind the audience about our tribute.
Susu composed many Cairo Cats drum ensemble pieces. This was a favorite. Notice that there are always parts open for improvisation. And some parts became set with Susu dancing and playing with Gregangelo and Daria.
Tut Tonic is something that Susu started working on and never got around to finishing, Susu and the Cairo Cats.
The finale number, although not modern Egyptian at all was a big hit in Egypt as the Saudi’s would spend much recreational time in Egypt where it was a win win situation. They got to have a bit of freedom and the Egyptians got to benefit from the revenue.
Albi Muftahou composed by Farid al Atrache. Sung by Husain Resan with The Pasha Band and The Aswan Dancers at the El Leil Show dedicated to the golden age of Egyptian music and dance.
Touta composed by Farid and performed by Amina Goodyear
Zeina Ya Zeina composed by Farid al Atrache Sung by Ayman Kozman & Rana Mroue El Leil is a cabaret show about the Golden Age of Egyptian music, song & dance