The Dwarfs of East Agouza trio was formed in Cairo, Egypt, and consists of Alan Bishop from United States (Sun City Girls, The Invisible Hands, Alvarius B.), Maurice Louca from Egypt (Alif, Bikya) and Sam Shalabi from Canada (Land of Kush, Shalabi Effect) and. The band has developed a unique, always-recognisable sound, shapeshifting from free jazz and krautrock to Arabic influences and Egyptian Shaabi music.

The trio was formed in 2012 when all three members lived in the same apartment building in Cairo’s Agouza neighborhood. Their instrumental improvisation-based explorations are propelled by Louca’s North African percussion loops and shimmering keys, Shalabi’s West African tinged free jazz guitar and grounded by Bishop’s driving Krautrock-style acoustic bass. They have performed successfully at major festivals such as Unsound Festival and Roskilde Festival. The band has released 4 albums: Bes (2016), Both Sides Of The Curtain (Live In Beirut) (2017), Rats Don’t Eat Synthesizers (2018) and The Green Dogs of Dashur (2020). The Dwarfs of East Agouza are coming to Prague to present their fifth album High Tide In The Lowlands.

Maurice Louca (keyboards, electronics)

Sam Shalabi (electric guitar)

Alan Bishop (acoustic bass, alto saxophone, vocals)