|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble comes home to the Ascension Loft |
|
|
|
Written by Ronaldo Oregano
|
|
Friday, 29 February 2008 |
 Kahil El ‘Zabar
The ever prolific renaissance man and Chicago master percussionist Kahil El ‘Zabar brings the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble home for the final engagement from this 35th Ethnic Heritage Ensemble anniversary tour on Sunday, March 2, 4pm atthe Ascension Loft, 319 N. Albany, Chicago.
The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble includes Kahil El ‘Zabar on percussion,Ernest Dawkins on saxophone, and Corey Wilkes on trumpet. Internationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity."
Kahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago, on November 11, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood, he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop, r&b, gospel, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest Colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest College, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand.
At the age of eighteen, Kahil joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s, El'Zabar formed his own musical group, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, and later another group, the Ritual Trio, and continues to perform both today. El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King,. He has also published a book of poetry, Mis'taken Brilliance, and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry. In 1991, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20-year retrospective of his work, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago.
Kahil El'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations, including as the chairman of The Sun Drummer, an African American drum society, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education, Campaign for Freedom of Expression, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician, educator, and community leader led to the "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune and the 2005 Jazz Journalists Association award for "Percussionist of the Year."
The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is ending their annual February Black History Month tour with the last date at Kahil's ASCENSION Loft on Sun. Mar.2nd at 4pm - 319 N. Albany. The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is coming off of a 26 dates hit from Tel Aviv to Montreal and then some.
Kahil El ‘Zabar Ethnic Heritage Ensemble
Sunday, March 2, 4pm
Ascension Loft, 319 N. Albany, Chicago |
|
 Sunday, 07 September 2008
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Home | CD Reviews | Interviews | SF Bay Area | Chicago | Los Angeles | New York | Twin Cities, MN | More Cities | Festivals | FAQ | News | Contact | Video of the Week | 
