Ramadaniyyat: The Handover - Aly Eissa, Ayman Asfour, and Jonas Cambien

Experience Arabic folk roots transformed through psychedelic improvisation and ritual groove.

A visionary trio bridging deep Arabic folk roots and ritual music of rural Egypt with modern improvisation, krautrock, and psychedelic shaabi.

Experience a sonic bridge between the mystic traditions of the Nile Delta and the cutting-edge of contemporary avant-garde. The Handover defies easy categorization, weaving together the creative visions of Egyptian composer and oud player Aly Eissa, Belgian/Norwegian keyboardist Jonas Cambien, and Alexandrian violinist Ayman Asfour. Together, they craft a sound that feels both ancient and futuristic, offering a progressive exploration of Egypt's common and uncommon senses.

The ensemble’s 2025 debut was hailed as one of the standout releases on the cult label Sublime Frequencies, introducing a seamless blend of classical mastery, urban shaabi, and the ritual melodies of the Egyptian countryside. Drawing inspiration from the hypnotic, trance-inducing repetitions of Nile Delta music, their sound is fueled by kraut-like riffs and the raw intensity of 1960s avant-garde jazz. Fresh from a two-year tour of major international stages, including Jazzfest Berlin, Rewire, and a celebrated WOMEX showcase, the trio arrives in the UAE following the 2026 release of their highly anticipated second album. Their live performance is a psychedelic journey that doesn't return to earth once it achieves levitation.

Event Duration

Duration: 70 minutes

About the Artists

The Handover In The Handover, Aly Eissa, Ayman Asfour, and Jonas Cambien explore the common and uncommon senses of Egypt's ritual music. It is clear that Aly Eissa's original composition is deeply rooted in Egyptian and Arabic traditions. At the same time, this band is one of the most progressive coming out of Egypt today. This is in big part thanks to Eissa, who has proven time and again to be not only an extremely skillful composer, but also a real visionary, combining tradition with modern experimentation. A performance by The Handover is typically one stretch without a break: a long build-up that lasts for the duration of the concert. Towards the end of the performance, all the tension is released in an exuberant, joyful climax, when wild improvisations are driven forward on top of exciting dance-rhythms from rural Egypt. The Handover elegantly combines the delicacy of classical Arabic music, the raw expressiveness of Egypt's countryside music, and the spontaneity of free improvisation, carefully obliterating the artificial separation between acoustic and electronic instruments. Despite the remarkable absence of any percussion or drums, The Handover is an extremely groovy band, with an ability to slow down and accelerate the tempo in almost telepathic synchronization at exactly the right moments. Alongside the tight ensemble playing, there is plenty of room for individual expression as the oud, synthesizer, and violin take turns playing solos on top of repetitive riffs. Throughout the album, native Alexandrian Ayman Asfour plays the violin with breathtaking beauty, while not being afraid to make the violin buzz, squeak, and rattle at times. Belgian/Norwegian keyboardist Jonas Cambien makes the synthesizer a melodic instrument in its own right, at times evoking al

Event Policies, Terms, and Conditions

• The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all patrons. • Entry to the NYUAD Campus is through either the East or West Parking or the Welcome Center. • Please note the new campus entry requirements: you must present both your event ticket and the campus access QR code sent by email through NYUAD Campus Safety. • As per current Department of Culture and Tourism guidelines a Green Al Hosn is NO LONGER needed to attend public events in Abu Dhabi. • The wearing of face masks is NO LONGER required in most indoor public places, including campus buildings. • For access and wheelchair bookings, please email: nyuad.boxoffice@nyu.edu

How to get there

By car: Take Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan St/E10, Al Mina, and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed St/E12 to Laffan St. Exit at Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed St/E12. Continue on Laffan Street to your destination. GPS navigation is advised. By public transportation: You can take bus 170 (Al Saadiyat New York< University Via Abu Dhabi) to the Saadiyat New York University 3 bus stop and take a short walk from there. By taxi: You can easily reach your destination via taxi or by using a ride-hailing app. Please note the new campus entry requirements: you must present both your event ticket and the campus access QR code sent by email through NYUAD Campus Safety.