Sometime in Cairo is the second single from Dialogue of Thoughts, the new recording from the Harper Trio set for release on 24 October. Electric jazz harpist and composer Maria-Christina Harper reunited the exceptional talents of celebrated drummer Evan Jenkins and dynamic saxophonist Josephine Davies following their widely acclaimed 2023 debut album Passing By, a work that channelled a spirit of innovation and creative freedom.

LISTEN TO ‘SOMETIME IN CAIRO’ NOW:

https://musicconnection.lnk.to/Cairo

Released 3 October as a companion piece to their debut single In Cairo / Grandma’s Coat from Passing By, Sometime in Cairo acts as an echo of its predecessor, a quiet dialogue with the past that reveals new layers of depth and meaning. “It’s less about being in the moment and more about the memory and feeling of a place” says Harper whose music reflects her Egyptian and Greek roots. “While the first track was a vivid narrative, this is a more introspective dialogue with the past”.

The piece opens with a driving groove, anchored by the rhythmic interplay between the drums and harp, which together establish a strong, pulsating foundation over which the harp and saxophone intertwine to present the central, earworm melody. The music then takes a cinematic turn, slowing into a suspended section where each note unfolds in slow motion, before returning to a faster tempo and culminating in a vibrant, conversational trio improvisation.

Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, Dialogue of Thought reaffirms the trio’s signature sound – spiritually charged, shimmering soundscapes and experimental tones, recasting the harp’s place in jazz. Harper is true to her approach – prioritising vivid musical dialogues over placing the harp centre stage. The trio thrives on contrast, urgency, and emotional nuance, with this album introducing greater momentum, faster tempos, and a heightened sense of spontaneity. It’s a more collaborative sound—tighter, shorter tracks shaped by shared creativity.

LIVE DATES:

8 November Jazz Centre UK Southend-on-Sea
11 November Southampton Jazz Club Southampton
15 November EFG London Jazz Festival London
22 November Brompton Community Centre Brompton (Live@union)
27 November Bear Club Luton