Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble

The legendary Chicago jazz composer, multi-instrumentalist, and former AACM chairman celebrates 50 years (!) of his Ethnic Heritage Ensemble as part of his annual Black History Month tour.

The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble was formed in 1974 shortly after Sir Kahil El’Zabar graduated from Lake Forest College, with the goal “to combine concepts of African American music with its earlier roots in traditional African music, 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, ever-evolving sound they are known for is still going strong. Together with the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is one of the two remaining original groups active in the world today that were nurtured in the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians).

“I knew in my heart this band would endure,” El’Zabar attests. “My concept was based in logic as it pertains to the history of great Black music.”

In other words, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has a strong rhythmic foundation, innovative harmonics and counterpoint, well-balanced interplay and polyphony among the players for highly developed ensemble dynamics. They are strong individual soloists with an in-depth grasp of music history, originality, fearlessness and deep spirituality. Alongside multi-faceted El’Zabar, the EHE’s current line-up includes Corey Wilkes on trumpet, who has worked with numerous jazz masters, including Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Elling, and Kevin Nabors on tenor sax, who has performed with Roy Hargrove, Fred Anderson, Hamid Drake, Oliver Lake, and KRS-One. They whip up an electrifying mix of spiritual jazz and African rhythms built around fundamental brass improvisations and a swing-induced groove. The resulting trance-like fervor, transports one into a mind opening journey of spiritually enlightened deep listening.

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, and Gene Ammons, to name a few. Dr.El’Zabar, holds a PHD from Lake Forest College in Inter-Disciplinary Arts. He taught music at the University of Nebraska/Lincoln, and University of Illinois Chicago. He was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the National Task Force for Arts Presenting in Education.

Corey Wilkes, one of the most sought after trumpeters in the world today, is an alumnus of the famed Berkley School of Music. He’s a former associate professor of jazz trumpet at Roosevelt U.,2008- 2016. He is a current member of the world famous AACM. Mr. Wilkes had the honor of being chosen to replace the late, great Lester Bowie in the Art Ensemble of Chicago. He is currently starring in a reoccurring role in the hit TV show,”Empire”. Wilkes has played with the greats— Roy Hargrove, Dr. Lonnie Liston Smith, James Carter, Bilal, Roscoe Mitchell, and Nona Hendryx.

Born and raised on Chicago’s South side, Kevin Nabors Jr. attended Gershwin Academy, where he set a record as the youngest musician in All-City. He has studied under Von Freeman, Ernie Watts, Jimmy Heath, Pharez Whitted, Ernest Dawkins, Ari Brown, and Roxanne Stevenson. Still learning and forever growing, Kevin Nabors Jr. has a sound that will be heard.