Celebrating International Jazz Day with David Murray

Since it's International Jazz Day, here are a couple of David Murray's performances and discussions worth checking. 

Kahil El'Zabar & Ethnic Heritage Ensemble @ Contxt, February 14

Corey Wilkes, Kahil El'Zabar & Alex Harding return to Toronto for a much-anticipated Valentine's Day show at Contxt (254 Lansdowne) on Friday. 

Here's the scoop...

The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble was formed in 1974 shortly after Sir Kahil El’Zabar graduated from Lake Forest College, with the goal of combining concepts of African-American music with its earlier roots in traditional African sound, to produce new motifs and sounds true to their origins yet firmly pointed in a new artistic direction ”of enlightenment and deep listening”. Half a century later, the rich, compelling, and ever-evolving sound they are known for is still going strong. Together with the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble (with percussionist Kahil El'Zabar joined by trumpeter Corey Wilkes and baritone saxophonist Alex Harding) is one of the two remaining original groups active in the world today that were nurtured in the legendary Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM).

Join us live on Friday (February 14) at 6:30 pm for an intimate celebration of The EHE's 50th anniversary live in CONTXT (254 Lansdowne). Tickets are $55 advance, $65 at the door. Get tickets right here. Check out a short Ethnic Heritage Ensemble documentary and a discussion with Kahil El'Zabar following a rip through "Compared To What" below. 

Kahil El'Zabar + David Murray Duo @ Contxt By Trane, May 30 & 31

Saxophone great David Murray and percussion master Kahil El'Zabar return to Toronto now Thursday (May 30) & Friday (May 31). 

Caliban Arts Presents: 

The Pan-African Jazz Series Parts 1&2

with the Kahil El'Zabar + David Murray Duo

at CONTXT By Trane (254 Lansdowne Ave. at College) 

Thursday, May30th and Friday, May 31st

with host Michael Williams (who'll chat with the artists during the intermission)

Doors: 6:30pm, Concert: 7:30pm. 

Tickets: $45 Advance, $55 Door for each night; or $75 for both nights.

About the Kahil El'Zabar + David Murray Duo:

Sir Kahil El’Zabar, was Knighted by the Council General of France for his Global contributions to the Arts. He has performed with luminaries like, Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley, Pharoah Sanders, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Archie Shepp, Eddie Harris, Donny Hathaway, Paul Simon, Ntozake Shange, Nona Hendryx, Neneh Cherry, Lester Bowie, Hamiet Bluiett, Malachi Favors, Billy Bang, Gene Ammons, to name a few. Dr.El’Zabar, holds a PHDfrom Lake Forest College in Inter-Disciplinary Arts. He taught music and inter disciplinary arts at the U.Nebraska/Lincoln, and U. IL/Chicago. He was Appointed by Pres. Bill Clinton to the National Task Force for Arts Presenting in Education. He won the International Ambassador Award from Pres. Barak Obama’s Administration. Kahil El’zabar ,has served on the prestigious boards of the Lila Wallace Readers Digest Fund, The National Endowment of the Arts, and the National Campaign for the Freedom of Expression. He is also the former chairmen of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). El’Zabar, Has recorded over 100 acclaimed projects, and founded and leads the legendary Ethnic Heritage Ensemble and Ritual Trio.

David Murray is considered to be the most influential tenor saxophonist of his generation. He has recorded more than 300 acclaimed projects. He has worked with many of the giants, such as Max Roach, Charles Mingus, Cecil Taylor, Jack DeJohnette, Chico Hamilton, Elvin Jones, Archie Shepp, Pharoah Sanders, Randy Weston, the list goes on. He is co founder of the World Saxophone Quartet, and leads the famed David Murray Quartet, David Murray Octet, and the David Murray Big Band. Dr. Murray was awarded a PHD in the Arts from Claremont College, and is also a Guggenheim Fellow and a Fulbright Scholar. Mr. Murray has won 2 Grammys and is the prestigious recipient of the Jazz Par Award from the country of Denmark.

Get tickets for night one: Thursday May 30 right here, for night two: Friday May 31 right here, for both nights: May 30 & 31 right here. Check out a few recent performances below. 

Celebrate 50 years of Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble @ Redwood Theatre, Friday

Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble hits the Redwood Theatre (1300 Gerrard St. E) on Friday – get tickets & check the clips.   

Kahil El'Zabar & David Murray @ 254 Lansdowne, Monday

The Golden Sea Duo Tour of percussionist Kahil El'Zabar & saxophone great David Murray arrives in Toronto tonight at 6:30pm.

An Evening of Creative, Inspired and Improvised Soulful Music

 

Featuring Award Winning Jazz Creators...

Kahil El'Zabar (Percussion and Voice)

David Murray (Saxophones)

and guests

Date: Monday, June 19, 2023

Time: Doors 6:30pm

Concert 1 - 7:30pm

Admission: $45 adv./$55 door

Location: 254 Lansdowne Ave (near College St)

Get tickets right here.

This concert is part of the Caliban Arts Festival June 12-23. 

Check the Caliban Arts site for more info right here. 

Watch Kahil El'Zabar and David Murray's set at Rochester's Bop Shop in 2018 following a short interview clip below.

Dwight Trible joins Kahil El'Zabar's EHE for 'Spirit Gatherer' salute to Don Cherry

Kahil El'Zabar's "Spirit Gatherer" tribute to forward-looking trumpeter and bandleader Don Cherry is out now via Spiritmuse.

Here's the scoop...

Visionary percussionist and veteran bandleader Kahil El’Zabar leads his Ethnic Heritage Ensemble in celebration of the legendary jazz pioneer Don Cherry and releases new album Spirit Gatherer and previews the first track ‘Don Cherry’. The fifth of a series of Spiritmuse recordings that began with 2019’s Be Known: Ancient/Future Music [Spiritmuse KEZ001], Spirit Gatherer finds the three-person Ethnic Heritage Ensemble joined by two storied guest artists: Dwight Trible, vocalist with the Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, and multi-instrumentalist David Ornette Cherry, Don Cherry’s eldest son. Performed by a group of artists who intimately understand the profundity of Don Cherry’s contribution to universal musical and artistic culture, Spirit Gatherer is a powerful, spiritualised tribute to one of the giants of twentieth century music. 

Don Cherry was a true original. A pioneer of the jazz avant-garde, he first emerged as part of the Ornette Coleman group. After quickly establishing himself as a key figure in America, he eventually relocated to Europe, where he moved beyond jazz to pursue a universal spirit music. Cherry’s quest was spiritual, musical, social and political – open-hearted and profoundly humane, his life and art were dedicated to beauty and the betterment of all humanity. His music carries a crucial message for today, and Kahil El’Zabar and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble dedicate their new album Spirit Gatherer to him, both to honour his legacy and highlight his ever-growing importance. 

‘Don Cherry is the essential, iconic, urban shaman,’ says Kahil El’Zabar. ‘After doing America the Beautiful [Spiritmuse KEZ005] and speaking to the political, social times; and then believing that there has to be resolution, that's why there was A Time for Healing [Spiritmuse KEZ007]. Then after the time for healing, you have to acknowledge the mentors that actually expressed that healing, so that we can figure out better ways to use it. And I couldn't find a better example for now than Don Cherry to amplify that. And so that's why we call him the Spirit Gatherer, which is the name of the album.’ 

A legendary figure with over fifty years experience in jazz and improvised music (including a decade as the chair of Chicago avant-garde collective the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians), El’Zabar brings a powerful heritage and a wealth of experience to his art, directing the songs on Spirit Gatherer with kalimba, voice, or cajon. ‘Don Cherry was griot of the community,’ he says, and this deeply spiritual and shamanic aspect of aspect of Cherry’s practice is echoed in El’Zabar’s own musical journey. ‘The whole key to the story is learn to own your voice. But first, you have to have the grace of history to inform you as you translate it into your individual idea… The was the journey of Don Cherry, and that’s a parallel in terms of my life choices – his model of eclecticism, his model of independence and individuality, his sense of style, his lyrical expressions of being: these were all things that I tried to emulate in my own character.’ 

For El’Zabar and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Cherry’s message has a particular resonance in our troubled times: ‘Against the atrocities of current day, the way that we saved ourselves is that we all went to our spirit at this time, and the arts were the conduit to the opening of our health, our wellness as human beings. And so we're all feeling a vibe now. It’s not just about the aesthetics of the music – it's about the utility of service that the music brings to you. And that's why Don Cherry is resonating with the current generation, because he was true to that energy.’ 

As well as several originals by the leader, the songs selected for Spirit Gatherer draw their power from Don Cherry’s legacy, and reach out the spiritualised milieu in which he worked and lived. The music calls forth the sanctified universal folklore of Cherry’s music and refracts it through the firmly rooted Africentric modal grooves now synonymous with El’Zabar’s art. Cherry’s first great collaborator, Ornette Coleman, is represented by his deathless composition ‘Lonely Woman’; in tribute to Cherry’s favourite composer, Thelonious Monk, the band tackle ‘Well You Needn’t’ with a low-key, funked-up read; and Coltrane, with whom Cherry collaborated at various times, is evoked through a musical prayer to A Love Supreme. 

As ever, El’Zabar leads the album on multi-percussion, steering the group and setting the pace with his trademark combination of peerless rhythmic invention, melodic subtlety and grounded spiritual direction. Support from regular frontline collaborators Corey Wilkes on trumpet and Alex Harding on baritone sax builds out the sound, with Wilkes channelling the quicksilver improvising brilliance of Cherry himself while Harding embarks on deep-rooted thematic investigations. But Spirit Gatherer is lifted even higher by the presence of two illustrious guests: Dwight Trible and David Ornette Cherry. 

Don Cherry’s eldest son, the multi-instrumentalist, educator and composer David Ornette Cherry, has an intimate familial understanding of his father’s musical philosophy. He played with Don from the age of sixteen, and has collaborated with many jazz greats including Billy Higgins, Charlie Haden and Ed Blackwell. His latest album, Organic Nation Listening Club (The Continual), was released on Spiritmuse in 2021, to critical acclaim. On Spirit Gatherer, he adds spiritual warmth and energy on piano and melodica, and invokes the instantly recognisable language of his father’s music when playing douss’n’gouni, the West African hunter’s harp. 

Vocalist Dwight Trible is a key figure in Los Angeles renowned community jazz collective, the Pan Afrikan Peoples’ Arkestra. Founded by Horace Tapscott, the Ark has been the seed-bed for three generations of Los Angeles jazz musicians, and it grew out of the same Central Avenue soil that Don Cherry himself was rooted in. Trible, a vocalist who combines both operatic power with deepest blue jazz sensibility, brings electrifying presence and lyrical richness to the session. 

In this exalted company the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble’s sonic odyssey goes from strength to strength, opening up new spaces of healing in our present tribulation, new connections to the wisdom of the ancestors, and new vistas onto mended futures. We hope that you enjoy the journey of the Spirit Gatherer. 

As on previous Spiritmuse albums from El’Zabar, stunning original album artwork by multi-disciplinary artist Nep Sidhu accompanies the music. The album is presented with archive images of Don Cherry, courtesy of the Cherry Archive, Estate of Moki Cherry. 

Get a copy of the Spirit Gatherer: Tribute To Don Cherry album by Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble via Bandcamp right here. Check out the title track and an interpretation of Pharoah Sanders' "Harvest Time" followed by the track listing and credits. 

Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble – Spirit Gatherer: Tribute to Don Cherry

1. Don Cherry, composed by Kahil El’Zabar 

2. Lonely Woman, composed by Ornette Coleman * 

3. Evocation, composed by Kahil El’Zabar 

4. Degi-Degi, composed by Don Cherry * 

5. Sketches of a Love Supreme, based on the original composition by John Coltrane * 

6. Bop On, composed by Kahil El’Zabar 

7. Holy Man, composed by Kahil El’Zabar 

8. Well You Needn't, composed by Thelonious Monk * 

9. The Opening, composed by Kahil El’Zabar 

10. Harvest Time, composed by Pharoah Sanders * 

11. Spirit Gatherer, composed by Kahil El’Zabar 

Kahil El’Zabar – multi-percussion / balafon / kalimba / voice 

Corey Wilkes – trumpet/ spirit bowls/ percussion 

Alex Harding – baritone sax 

Dwight Trible – voice 

David Ornette Cherry – piano / melodica / douss’n gouni 

Except Tracks 3, 8 & 9, with the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble only 

Kahil El’Zabar – multi-percussion / balafon / kalimba / voice 

Corey Wilkes – trumpet/ spirit bowls/ percussion 

Alex Harding – baritone sax

Chicago's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble hits the Redwood Theatre, Friday

Trumpeter Corey Wilkes and master percussionist Kahil El'Zabar are joined by saxophonist Alex Harding for EHE's Toronto show.

Caliban Arts Theatre Presents

KAHIL EL'ZABAR & ETHNIC HERITAGE ENSEMBLE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17

@ THE REDWOOD THEATRE

1300 Gerrard Street East, Toronto

7:30 pm doors, 8:30 pm concert

Tickets: $45 advance

The legendary Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has toured internationally, as well as recorded innumerable celebrated projects over the last 49 years. The current lineup features Corey Wilkes (trumpet) Alex Harding (baritone sax) and the band's founder, Dr. Kahil El’Zabar (multi-percussion/composition).

The EHE is a must-see ensemble, that’s truly making history with each performance! They are 21st-century griots, making great black music for the mind, body, and spirit! Get tickets right here. 

Watch the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble perform in the hour-long video Free Jazz From The Sanctuary below.  

Kahil El'Zabar Trio celebrates John Coltrane @ Redwood Theatre, Sept 23 & 24

Kahil El'Zabar and his trio will be peforming the music of John Coltrane's 1962 album Coltrane and '63's Impressions on two nights.

Here's the scoop...

Acclaimed Chicago percussionist and composer, Kahil El Zabar brings his Trane Tribute Trio ensemble – featuring Justin Dillard on keyboards, and tenor saxophonist Isaiah Collier – to Toronto for two nights celebrating the music of John Coltrane at the Redwood Theatre (1300 Gerrard St. East).

Kahil El’Zabar celebrates the many years that he has performed in his good friend Frank Francis’ historically potent Jazz Club, the Trane Studio, the new CONTXT by Trane studio, and now for first time at the brilliant Redwood Theatre in Toronto, for a two-evening John Coltrane tribute honouring of the musical visionary at 96! 

The band will pay tribute to the icon by performing the music from his 1962 album, Coltrane, 60 years after the release, on September 23rd; followed by the music of Coltrane's Impressions album on September 24th. The Impressions album, released in 1963 was actually recorded over a 3-year period (1961-63). These concerts are not to be missed! 

“Coltrane” Night 1:

Friday, Sept 23 at 8pm (7pm doors)

“COLTRANE” 60TH ANNIVERSARY:

Replaying The Album and originals

Admission: $45 

Get Tickets here

“Impressions” Night 2:

Saturday, Sept 24 at 8pm (7pm doors)

“IMPRESSIONS” ALMOST 60th ANNIVERSARY:

Replaying The Album and originals

Admission: $45 

Get tickets here

Or, admission for both nights: $75. Get tickets here

Kahil El'Zabar Quartet @ Toronto's Contxt, July 14 & 15

Kahil El'Zabar Quartet play two shows (July 14 &15) at Contxt by Trane (254 Lansdowne) at 7 pm. Early bird tickets are $40. 

Here's the scoop...

Chicago’s legendary spiritual jazz shaman Kahil El’Zabar returns to Toronto this week, leading an enviable ensemble of young masters from his hometown for two shows at Contxt by Trane (254 Lansdowne) on July 14 and 15 (tickets available via Caliban Arts for the first night here and the second night there). They'll be presenting music from their recent album A Time For Healing – yet another epic double LP’s worth of ancient/future music for the mind, body and soul. From swinging jazz that sings of his Chicago pedigree, to talking drums and soothing spiritual grooves that reconnect black classical music with its African roots. 

Multi-percussionist, band-leader, vocalist, composer, conductor and educator, Kahil El’Zabar has been at the forefront of the unceasingly creative avant-garde jazz scene in Chicago and beyond for over 4 decades. Considered the pioneer of spiritual groove and Afrocentric jazz, El’Zabar has recorded & performed with heavyweights such as Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, David Murray, Billy Bang, Lester Bowie, Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder, to name a few. 

Returning to his natural home on Spiritmuse Records, ‘A Time for Healing’ answers the urgent questions posed by his sold-out ‘America The Beautiful’ album, addressing the state of affairs today whilst calling for a better tomorrow. Hugely successful and universally acclaimed, the album was championed by Pitchfork, the Guardian and Gilles Peterson. As ever, the Chicago legend surrounds himself with the hottest young talent. Sonic scientist, Isaiah Collier joins on saxophone. Following his recent acclaimed album, ‘Cosmic Transitions’ LP, he has been hailed as the new ‘Coltrane’. Suffice to say, he doesn’t disappoint, as El’Zabar leads the ensemble through hypnotic groove after groove, providing Collier with ample space to improvise and uplift, channeling the spiritual sound of Trane and Pharoah. 

Following stand-out performances on ‘America The Beautiful’ and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble album, ‘Be Known Ancient/Future/Music’, El’Zabar disciple Corey Wilkes, considered one of best trumpeters in the world today, returns and shines once again. Having also worked with the likes of Roy Hargrove, Kurt Elling, Greg Osby and Marcus Belgrave, and who also filled the considerable shoes of Lester Bowie in The Art Ensemble of Chicago, leads stellar groups of his own, and has received plaudits from NPR and the Chicago Tribune. 

Keyboard wizard Justin Dillard, who truly shone on his collaboration with El’Zabar on ‘Spirit Groove’, returns for another stellar performance, steeped in the heritage of Dr. Lonnie Smith and McCoy Tyner. Chicago Tribune puts it this way, “there’s something more to Dillard’s work as well; a quest for new ideas in music, in the manner of his AACM mentors”. His earthy Hammond grooves simultaneously ground and lift the quartet’s sound. 

Kahil El’Zabar explores the gamut of Great Black Music in America, tracing its lineage through all the movements that’s flourished in Chicago, from the blues to R&B, soul, gospel, house music, spiritual jazz, and then back to all of its common African roots. This is captured brilliantly on the title track, where kalimba and spirit bowls evoke the ancestors, before the horns commence a yearning refrain, calling for guidance and healing. Then, El’Zabar’s new tomorrow hails its’ arrival on “The Coming Of Spring”, a beautiful swinging number full of joy and hope. 

El’Zabar continues to pay homage to his mentors and idols, dedicating one “electrifying” number to tenor legend and electrified sax pioneer “Eddie Harris”. Long undervalued, his footprint nonetheless persists, as world renowned DJs no-less-than Theo Parris turn new audiences on to his avant-garde grooves. Elsewhere, “Resolution”, the central piece of Coltrane’s revered ‘Love Supreme’, is transformed by the quartet, with Dillard providing a fresh low-end groove on Hammond before delivering a stellar solo. 

The album closes on a beautiful and hauntingly sparse treatment of Gershwin’s “Summertime”. Centered around El’Zabar’s legendary kalimba playing and a hummed groove. Wilkes, Collier and El’Zabar deliver the standard’s well-travelled melody with unheard depths and heart-wrenching spirituality. 

Recorded in December 2020 in Chicago, ‘A Time For Healing’ is not only the answer to the urgent questions asked by El’Zabar’s ‘America the Beautiful’; its’ spiritual and ever probing human journey offers a regenerative opus in the face of growing global anxiety. What the world needs right now is exactly what El’Zabar and his quartet have on offer: A Time for Healing. 

Get a copy via Bandcamp right here. 

Check out a 14-minute documentary on the making of 'A Time For Healing' followed by the album below. 

Midweek Mixdown: Dean Rudland's Atmospheres

Check out Dean Rudland's new Atmospheres set with gems from Kenny Carter, Byrdie Green, Kahil El'Zabar & more right here.

Get a copy of Kenny Carter's Showdown: The Complete 1966 RCA Recordings from Ace/Kent right here. 

Happy Birthday Kahil El'Zabar!

Celebrating the birthday of percussionist/composer Kahil El'Zabar with an interview and "Katon" feat. David Murray.

Happy Birthday David Murray!

Celebrating David Murray's birthday with a Gwo-Ka Masters performance and a swing through "The Opening" with Kahil El'Zabar. 

Ethnic Heritage Ensemble @ 918 Bathurst, Friday

Ethnic Heritage Ensemble  “Raise The Spirit Tour 2020” 

Chicago's legendary Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has toured internationally, as well as recorded numerable celebrated projects over the last 45 years leading up to their recent album, Be Known released in June. The current line up – featuring Corey Wilkes (trumpet), Alex Harding (baritone sax) and the band’s founder, Dr. Kahil El’Zabar (multi-percussion/composition) – will be playing a special Valentine's Day show in Toronto at 918 Bathurst on Friday, February 14th. Doors at 7:30 pm, show at 8:30 pm. Tickets are $40 via Caliban Arts.

Dr. Kahil El’Zabar is considered by his peers to be one of the most prolific innovators of his generation. He has recorded more than sixty well–received projects, and won numerous international awards as a musician and composer. In 2014, Mr. El’Zabar was knighted by the Counsel General of France, and christened as a “Chevalier Medal of Letters”. In 2012, President Barack Obama’s administration awarded him the International Ambassador’s Award in the Arts. In 2006, The Chicago Tribune named Kahil El’Zabar Chicagoan of the Year. In 1994, President Bill Clinton appointed El’Zabar to the National Task Force on Arts in Education.  Mr. El’Zabar has worked with such luminaries as Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Pharoah Sanders, Neneh Cherry, Nina Simone, David Murray, Lester Bowie, and the extensive list goes on and on. Dr. El’Zabar holds a PHD in Inter–Disciplinary Arts from Lake Forest College (2006), and is Executive Creative Director and Director of Curriculum Planning/Teaching and Music Strategies at the new Chicago Academy of Music. He has also taught and held the position of Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska (Lincoln) and at the University of Illinois (Chicago), and served on several prestigious panels such as the National Endowment of the Arts, the NPN (National Performance Network) and the Lila Wallace Reader’s Digest Fund. El’Zabar is a former Chairman of internationally acclaimed, AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians).

Corey Wilkes has established himself as one of the best improvising trumpeters in the modern era. Having the skill to approach mainstream repertoire of jazz standards with his own unique sensibilities, he combines them with his deep appreciation of hip–hop.  Mr. Wilkes continues to bring his brand of musicianship and talent to the forefront of the genre. He has also shared the stage with numerous jazz masters including but not limited to; Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, James Moody, Kurt Elling, Von Freeman, Greg Osby, Roscoe Mitchell, Marcus Belgrave, Clark Terry, Harry “Sweets” Edison and Mulgrew Miller. His soulful notes can be heard gracing a variety of contemporary projects including sets by DJ Logic and Osunlade; tracks on Hidden Beach Recordings Presents: Unwrapped Vol. 4, Kahil El Zabar’s Ascension Loft Series as well as Nona Hendryx, Soulive, Meshell Ndegocello and Ledisi.

Alex Harding is considered one of the top baritone players in New York City. He has been a fixture on the New York jazz seen since 1993 performing touring and recording with the Julius Hemphill Saxophone Sextet, Hamiett Bluiett Baritone Nation, David Murray Big Band, Oliver Lake Big Band, Craig Harris, Joseph Bowie’s Defunkt, Aretha Franklin, Lester Bowie, Andy Gonzalez, Muhal Richard Abrams, Jayne Cortez and the Fire Spitters, Abdullah Ibrahim and the Tony award–winning Broadway show Fela! Alex Harding has several recordings of his own as a leader as well as sideman with other artists.

In The Spirit: David Murray + Kahil El'Zabar @ Remix Lounge, June 21

Better get your tickets quick for David Murray and Kahil El'Zabar's show at Remix Lounge (1305 Dundas) on Friday, June 21. 

Saxophonist David Murray and percussionist Kahil El’Zabar have been at the forefront of creative exploration and compositional diversity over the past four decades. They are recognized by their peers to be consummate virtuosos who produce ingenious interpretations that take their place within the history and future of Great African Music! This magnificent duo shares with us all the hope and desire that comes from blowing fire in an acquired wisdom. This is freedom music in its noblest sense, meant to heal and release one from the regurgitated mediocrity currently flooding our airways. To witness these time proven masters in person, is to be exalted and rejuvenated! They are the miracle of a profound sound, within a priceless opportunity not to be missed! These cats express brilliantly what true musicians feel and see, which is the epiphany to be free!

Tickets:
Early Bird Tickets: $25 – (Sunday June 9 @ 5pm)
Advance: $35 – (Friday June 21 @ 5pm)
Door: $40
Get them right here.

Ethnic Heritage Ensemble presents "Be Known" @ La Maquette, February 15

The legendary Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, has toured internationally, as well as recorded numerable celebrated projects over the last 45 years. The current line up, featuring Corey Wilkes (trumpet), Alex Harding (baritone sax) and the band’s founder, Dr. Kahil El’Zabar (multi-percussion/ composition), are returning to Toronto to present their forthcoming recording Be Known (check the preview clip below) at La Maquette (111 King St. East at Church) on Friday (February 15) at 8:30 pm with doors open at 6:30 pm for drinks. Early bird tickets are $25 (until February 3 at 5 pm), advance tickets are $35 (until Friday, February 15 at 5 pm) with any remaining sold at the door for $40. Space is limited so grab your tickets quick and arrive early for best seats. For more info, check the Caliban Arts site right here.

Dr. Kahil El’Zabar is considered by his peers to be one of the most prolific innovators of his generation. He has recorded more than sixty well–received projects, and won numerous international awards as a musician and composer. In 2014, Mr. El’Zabar was knighted by the Counsel General of France, and christened as a “Chevalier Medal of Letters”. In 2012, President Barack Obama’s administration awarded him the International Ambassador’s Award in the Arts. In 2006, The Chicago Tribune named Kahil El’Zabar Chicagoan of the Year. In 1994, President Bill Clinton appointed El’Zabar to the National Task Force on Arts in Education.  Mr. El’Zabar has worked with such luminaries as Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley, Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Pharoah Sanders, Neneh Cherry, Nina Simone, Ntozake Shange, David Murray, Nona Hendryx, Lester Bowie, and the extensive list goes on and on. Dr. El’Zabar holds a PHD in Inter–Disciplinary Arts from Lake Forest College (2006), and is Executive Creative Director and Director of Curriculum Planning/Teaching and Music Strategies at the new Chicago Academy of Music. He has also taught and held the position of Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska (Lincoln) and at the University of Illinois (Chicago), and served on several prestigious panels such as the National Endowment of the Arts, the NPN (National Performance Network) and the Lila Wallace Reader’s Digest Fund. El’Zabar is a former Chairman of internationally acclaimed, AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians).

Corey Wilkes has established himself as one of the best improvising trumpeters in the modern era. Having the skill to approach mainstream repertoire of jazz standards with his own unique sensibilities, he combines them with his deep appreciation of hip–hop.  Mr. Wilkes continues to bring his brand of musicianship and talent to the forefront of the genre. He has also shared the stage with numerous jazz masters including but not limited to; Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, James Moody, Kurt Elling, Von Freeman, Greg Osby, Roscoe Mitchell, Marcus Belgrave, Clark Terry, Harry “Sweets” Edison and Mulgrew Miller. His soulful notes can be heard gracing a variety of contemporary projects including sets by DJ Logic, Osunlade and Josh Deep; tracks on Hidden Beach Recordings Presents: Unwrapped Vol. 4, Kahil El Zabar’s Ascension Loft Series as well as Nona Hendryx, Soulive, Meshell Ndegocello and Ledisi.

Alex Harding is considered one of the top baritone players in New York City. He has been a fixture on the New York jazz seen since 1993 performing touring and recording with the Julius Hemphill Saxophone Sextet, Hamiett Bluiett Baritone Nation, David Murray Big Band, Oliver Lake Big Band, Craig Harris, Joseph Bowie’s defunkt, Aretha Franklin, David Lee Roth, Lester Bowie, Andy Gonzales, Muhal Richard Abrams, Jayne Cortes and the Fire Spitters, Abdullah Ibrahim and the Tony award–winning Broadway show Fela! Alex Harding has several recordings of his own as a leader as well as sideman with other artists.

"Be Known" by the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is due in March on SpiritMuse Records. Watch the preview clip below followed by a list of upcoming tour dates.

Kahil El'Zabar's All Star Ritual Trio feat. David Murray @ Remix Lounge, Friday

Saxophone titan David Murray plays two shows with Kahil El'Zabar's crew tonight at 1305 Dundas West. 

Don't miss Chicago's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble @ Trane Studio, tonight

Ethnic Heritage Ensemble's Corey Wilkes, Kahil El'Zabar and Ernest Kahbeer Dawkins rock the Ascension Loft

LINKS
site http://www.kahilelzabar.net/
venue http://www.tranestudio.com/
show http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000806116871#!/events/234427126647020/

Record Sleeve of the Week: Infinite Spirit Music

Infinite Spirit Music - "Live Without Fear" (Ancient Afrika Records, 1980)