Kahil El’Zabar & David Murray

Ars Nova Workshop presents a duo performance featuring two living legends of the avant–garde – David Murray and Kahil El’Zabar – at Solar Myth on Wednesday, June 5.

Known for his torrential sound and unflagging adventurousness, David Murray emerged from the 70s loft jazz scene to achieve elder status. He has released over 200 albums under his own name, working with the likes of Max Roach, Randy Weston, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Taj Mahal, Mal Waldron, Amiri Baraka, Jerry Garcia, Doudou N’daye Rose, Cassandra Wilson, Jason Moran, Macy Gray, Omara Portuando, Saul Williams, Vijay Iyer, Quest Love, Black Thought and Gregory Porter, to name a few. 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. The two met in Chicago in 1975 and, according to DownBeat magazine, “have been exchanging spiritual energy for more than 40 years.”