Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble
Founded in 1974 by the versatile American musician Kahil El'Zabar, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, with its changing lineup and formations over the years, touches the roots of Black musical traditions and builds new paths in this canon. The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has hosted respected musicians such as Light Henry Huff, Kalaparusha Maurice Macintyre, Joseph Bowie, and Craig Harris throughout the years, and crowned 2024, the 50th anniversary of its establishment, with the album Open Me, A Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit. The album mixes El'Zabar's original compositions with timeless classics by Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, and Eugene McDaniels. Percussionist, composer, fashion designer, and former Chair of the Association of Creative Musicians (AACM), Kahil El'Zabar is in what might be the most productive form of his career, and now in his seventies, shows no signs of slowing down. The concert, which will bring the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble's 50 years of experience to the stage, will be at Akbank Sanat on October 10.
Kahil El’Zabar: Percussions, drums
Corey Wilkes: Trumpet
Alex Harding: Baritone saxophone
Ishmael Ali: Cello