Ethnic Heritage Ensemble

Ars Nova Workshop celebrates the 50th anniversary of legendary Chicago percussionist Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble on Wednesday, February 7 at Solar Myth.

A leading proponent of the AACM’s “ancient to the future” philosophy, multi-instrumentalist Kahil El’Zabar is widely acknowledged as one of the leaders of spiritual & afrofuturistic jazz, collaborating with such heavyweights as Pharoah Sanders, Nina Simone, Archie Shepp, Lester Bowie, Billy Bang, Hamiet Bluiett & David Murray. El’Zabar has led various incarnations of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble since 1973, one year after returning from his studies at the University of Ghana. His goal was to combine concepts of African American music-making with the roots of traditional African music to produce something that carried the music into the 21st century and beyond. Half a century later, this legendary band is tighter than ever, continuing to broadcast their special brand of 21st century Griot music to rapt audiences worldwide.