Kahil El’Zabar Ethnic Heritage Ensemble

Kahil El’Zabar has been one of the deepest and most forward-thinking artists from Chicago’s renowned improvised music scene for many years. Working in many creative contexts as a member of the boundlessly innovative AACM, El’Zabar founded the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble in 1974, as a way to further explore the connections between African-American music, like jazz, with more traditional African instrumentation and rhythms. Touring frequently in Europe and the United States, they established a global reputation. The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble includes trumpeter, Corey Wilkes, baritone saxophonist Alex Harding, cellist Ishmael Ali and the compelling presence of Kahil El’Zabar on drum set, hand percussion, Kalimba, and soulful vocalizations.