Abdullah Miniawy

Abdullah Miniawy

Expressionist, Writer, Composer and Performer, Paris, France

Peacock Dreams

Egyptian composer, writer, and vocalist, and creator of Le Cri du Caire, Abdullah Miniawy stands as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary global music. Born in Fayoum and now based in Paris, Miniawy’s work transcends borders, merging the raw emotional power of Egyptian soundscapes with the improvisational depth of jazz. His acclaimed album Le Cri du Caire earned the 2023 French Victoires du Jazz, the country’s highest musical honor.

In collaboration with Robinson Khoury, a rising French-Lebanese trombonist, and Jules Boittin, a Paris-based trombonist active in several French ensembles, Miniawy leads a trio that fuses jazz, Sufi mysticism, and contemporary experimentation. Their music evokes both the chaos and poetry of urban Egypt, offering listeners a transformative experience that oscillates between inspiration, catharsis, and contemplation.

Their project debuted to standing ovations at the Musée Dauphinois during the Détours de Babel Festival in Grenoble, before embarking on an international tour spanning over twenty concerts. Upcoming performances include venues such as La Alhambra in Geneva, the Venice International Festival during the Biennale, and Mao Oriental Art Museum in Turin, where their next album will be released.

At its core, the project aims to bridge Eastern and Western musical traditions, redefining the boundaries of art and spirituality. Drawing from the Arab Spring and Miniawy’s earlier works, the trio’s compositions translated into English, French, and Italian invite audiences to reflect on humanity, faith, and unity through a universal language of sound.

Biography:

Abdullah Miniawy (b. 1994) is an Egyptian expressionist, writer, singer, composer, 3D generalist, and actor. His work bridges experimental music, performance, and political expression. He has shared stages with artists like Erik Truffaz, Kamilya Jubran, Zuli, and Maurice Louca, performing at major venues including the Festival d’Avignon, Philharmonie de Paris, ICA London, the Louvre, and the Venice Biennial.

Miniawy starred in Tlamess (2019), which premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and won awards at Kino der Kunst and Marrakech Film Festival. He also directed his first short film, Rain Ticket (2021).

As a composer, his soundtracks have featured in projects like Cabaret Crusades III (MoMA PS1) and AMDUAT (Hotel Pro Forma). His long-running collaboration with German trio Carl Gari yielded critically acclaimed works, including Darraje and The Act of Falling from the 8th Floor.

In 2023, his project Le Cri du Caire, featuring Truffaz, won Les Victoires du Jazz. A recognized voice of his generation, his writings resonated during the Arab Spring and continue to echo regionally and internationally.

Honored by the European Parliament as a cultural “change maker,” Miniawy has performed nearly 700 shows, with over 80 in 2023–2024. His performances consistently earn standing ovations and critical acclaim worldwide.