Yehya Khalil

Born in the Cairo district of Heliopolis, Yehya Khalil was introduced to jazz music in his teens by Voice of America’s Jazz hour show. In an environment not receptive towards this kind of music he did his best to build up a collection of records and to further his knowledge of the genre. At 14 he started playing and at 18 he was running a jazz program on the radio.
His big break came when he traveled to the States and was taken under Gene Krupa’s wings. The legendary drummer taught Khalil for five years and made of him not only a brilliant player but also an impassioned believer in the power of music to influence people’s life. During his time in the USA Yehya Khalil plays with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and John Coltrane and is recognized by critics as one of the greatest percussionist around. Always interested in blending styles, he also played with James Brown, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, among others.
Back to Egypt he started his mission to popularize jazz music in the country, playing regularly in clubs, cultural centers, and at the Opera House. He has helped many young musicians and still has the dream to see the opening of Egypt’s first Jazz School in the premises and under the administration of the Cairo Opera House. His repertoire encompasses Oriental music, Classical, Blues and Fusion of the 60s.
If you like Jazz music and/or percussions you should not miss the opportunity to attend his performances.
In 2008 he released a CD called "Rhythm of the Soul".

Yehya Khalil has a facebook page 

Articles on the press:
Al-Ahram Weekly Aug. 2010