The couple travelled around the world as Gamal appeared in nightclubs over the next couple of years, then separated and divorced in 1953. After meeting the couple while appearing in New York, Ray didn’t think much about Gamal until sometime after Gamal’s divorce from King. Ray was appearing in Miami Beach and got a call from the William Morris Agency in New York with an immediate offer to appear in Egypt. After the divorce, Gamal had bought a nightclub in Cairo called Bishop’s and renamed it Symia’s. She offered Ray a twelve week engagement at the club for $1,000 a week with an option for twelve more weeks. When Ray inquired about an accompanist, he was shocked and delighted to hear that Symia had already lined up Duke Kewish, who had played for Ray several years before.
