Hossam Ramzy

[starglow]

What are we without our musicians? I'm surprised I couldn't find a thread for the master of percussion and the dancers muso.
My favourite H/R cd is The Classical Egyptian Music - El Sultan.
Love his Ganal el hawa version from best of Abdul Halim Hafiz. I'm a big fan.

[Lauren_]

I like Hossam Ramzy, too. I love his articles online, and for a little while he had a message board where he was answering dancers' questions, mostly about rhythms but also about dance styles. I liked that he was 'straight-up' and didn't pull any punches when it came to clearing up misperceptions about the dance. And I felt like he stuck close to what he understands -- music, the dance's relationship to music, and the dance's place in Egyptian culture -- with only slight forays into other topics. (unlike some drummers and musicians who think they're experts on the dance itself and tell poor dancers all sorts of crazy things).

Musically I haven't fallen in love with any of his pieces, though I find lots of them useful for drilling. The CDs I have (Secrets of the Eye, Eternal Egypt) are kind of monotonous for performance. I should revisit his versions of some of the classics now that I'm 'mature' enough as a dancer/lister to 'get' them.

But I love love LOVE his drum solos! Sabla Tolo 3 is out, I'm going to download the whole thing when I get next month's itunes downloads!

I've had the impression he has a bad rep in the U.K. for being kind of ... difficult. I only know of one story that's been cited as basis, but I won't repeat it because I don't know for sure that it's even true, and I don't want to perpetuate a rumor.

[starglow]

Yes his music is great for drilling, I practically cut my teeth on the Baladi plus CD. I think what I like about it is the clarity of sound.

and just to add....that his music is something I keep coming back too.

[Jaseena]

First time I heard that a musician could exhibit diva behavior.

[firefly5]

First time I heard that a musician could exhibit diva behavior.

Hehehe! ..l;,

[emma-bessa]

Well said,Starglow!

Let´s honor the musicians,composers,producers and singers here too!
I´m gonna start a Jalilah thread as well as a Baligh Hamdy thread:)

Anyway Hossam Ramzy has some good choices for class drilling;
I love to use Agmal Hob because it has a steady rythm and a beautiful theme.

[Dahabiya]

I was lucky enough to be his translator when he went to Colombia. It was an amazing experience and I could see for myself that his reputation of being difficult is not deserved. However, if he does not lie you, he won't try to hide it!!

He was an amazing teacher, and it is true he is not afraid to clarify misconceptions. Also Serena was amazing and incredibly sweet!!!


Besides being a great musician with unbelievable creativity, his is a great human being. Don't believe the rumors!!!

[badriya_al_ahmar]

A while back I had posted some pondering about a particular rhythm at MySpace, just something in my status update, and he was kind enough to notice and ask what I was wondering about. He walked me through a particular piece of music with a tricky time change and significantly helped my understanding. I thought it was awfully nice of him to help out some random dancer.

[Nepenthe]

His drum solos are amazing. I always use Sabla Tolo II and West Naima. For his musical compositions, my favorite is Faddah (Silver). The others are nice but haven't jumped out at me in some huge way that made me say "I have to make this part of my routine."

[SamarDahab]

I love him. I taught my students a choreography to his Aziza.