Kahil El'Zabar (born Clifton Blackburn; November 11, 1953) is an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

multi-instrumentalist A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays two or more musical instruments at a professional level of proficiency. Also known as doubling, the practice allows greater ensemble flexibility and more efficient employment of musicians, where ...

(mainly a

percussionist A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater including attached or enclosed beaters or rattles struck, scraped or rubbed by hand or struck against another similar instrument. Ex ...

) and composer. He regularly records for

Delmark Records Delmark Records is an American jazz and blues independent record label. It was founded in 1958 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. The label originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953 when then owner, and founder, Bob Koester released a recordi ...

Life and work

El'Zabar was born in

Chicago, Illinois (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

. He attended

Lake Forest College Lake Forest College is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois. Founded in 1857 as Lind University by a group of Presbyterian ministers, the college has been coeducational since 1876 and an undergraduate-focused liberal arts inst ...

and joined the

Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1965 in Chicago by pianist Muhal Richard Abrams, pianist Jodie Christian, drummer Steve McCall, and composer Phil Cohran. The AACM is devote ...

(AACM) in the early 1970s, and became its chairman in 1975. During the 1970s, he formed the musical groups Ritual Trio and the

Ethnic Heritage Ensemble Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is an American jazz ensemble founded in 1973 by percussionist Kahil El'Zabar. Its members have included Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Joseph Bowie, Ernest Dawkins, Light Henry Huff, Edward Wilkerson, Hanah Jon Taylor, an ...

, both of which remain active. Musicians with whom Kahil EL'Zabar has collaborated include

Dizzy Gillespie John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (; October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuosic style of Roy Eldridge but addi ...

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Cannonball Adderley Julian Edwin "Cannonball" Adderley (September 15, 1928August 8, 1975) was an American jazz alto saxophonist of the hard bop era of the 1950s and 1960s. Adderley is perhaps best remembered for the 1966 soul jazz single "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy", whi ...

Paul Simon Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and actor whose career has spanned six decades. He is one of the most acclaimed songwriters in popular music, both as a solo artist and as half of folk roc ...

Pharoah Sanders Pharoah Sanders (born Ferrell Lee Sanders; October 13, 1940 – September 24, 2022) was an American jazz saxophonist. Known for his overblowing, harmonic, and multiphonic techniques on the saxophone, as well as his use of "sheets of sound", San ...

, and

Billy Bang Billy Bang (September 20, 1947 – April 11, 2011), born William Vincent Walker, was an American free jazz violinist and composer. Biography Bang's family moved to New York City's Bronx neighborhood while he was still an infant, and as a ...

. In 2017 the film "Be Known - The Mystery of Kahil El Zabar" by filmmaker

Dwayne Johnson-Cochran Dwayne or Dewayne is a traditionally male name. It is Gaelic in origin, deriving from the Irish saint Dubhán. History St. Dubhán was an Irish monk who established an abbey in Hook Head, Ireland during the 5th century. As a surname it is O'Dubha ...

was released. The documentary follows El' Zabar and band on their 2007 Black History Month tour. The film has been available on Amazon Prime.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

* ''Golden Sea'' (Sound Aspects, 1989) - with David Murray * ''

Return of the Lost Tribe ''Return of the Lost Tribe'' is an album by Bright Moments, a collaborative project by saxophonists Joseph Jarman and Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, percussionist Kahil El'Zabar, bassist Malachi Favors and pianist Adegoke Steve Colson, which was ...

'' (Delmark, 1998) as Bright Moments with

Joseph Jarman Joseph Jarman (September 14, 1937 – January 9, 2019) was an American jazz musician, composer, poet, and Shinshu Buddhist priest. He was one of the first members of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and a member of the ...

Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre (March 24, 1936 – November 9, 2013) ...

Malachi Favors Malachi Favors (August 22, 1927 – January 30, 2004) was an American jazz bassist who played with the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Biography "Favors's tendency to dissemble about his age was a well-known source of mirth to fellow musicians of his g ...

and Adegoke Steve Colson * ''

One World Family ''One World Family'' is an album by American jazz percussionist Kahil El'Zabar with saxophonist David Murray, which was recorded in 2000 and released on CIMP. They recorded previously the 1989 duo album ''Golden Sea''. Reception In his review f ...

'' (CIMP, 2000) - with David Murray * ''

Spirits Entering ''Spirits Entering'' is an album by percussionist Kahil El'Zabar and violinist Billy Bang. It was recorded during May 1998 at Riverside Studio in Chicago, and was released in 2001 by Delmark Records. Reception In a review for AllMusic, Alex Hende ...

'' (Delmark, 2001) - with

* ''

Love Outside of Dreams ''Love Outside of Dreams'' is an album by the American jazz percussionist Kahil El'Zabar, recorded in 1997 and released on Delmark. He leads a trio featuring saxophonist David Murray and bassist Fred Hopkins in his last recording session. Murray ...

'' (Delmark, 2002) - with David Murray,

Fred Hopkins Fred Hopkins (October 11, 1947 – January 7, 1999) was an American double bassist who played a major role in the development of the avant-garde jazz movement. He was best known for his association with the trio Air with Henry Threadgill and St ...

* '' We Is'' (Delmark, 2004) - with David Murray * ''Transmigration'' (Delmark, 2007) * ''

What It Is! ''What It Is!'' is an album by American jazz percussionist Kahil El'Zabar, which was recorded in 2012 and released on Delmark. It was the debut of a quartet comprising three young players from the school of Chicago's AACM: tenor saxophonist Kevi ...

'' (Delmark, 2013) * ''Kahil El’Zabar’s Spirit Groove'' (Spiritmuse, 2020) - with David Murray *Kahil El'Zabar's ''America the Beautiful'' (Spiritmuse, 2020) With

* ''Three Gentlemen From Chicago'' (Moers Music, 1981) * ''Impressions'' (Red Records, 1982) * ''Welcome'' (Leo Records, 1984) * '' Ancestral Song'' (Silkheart, 1988) * ''

Hang Tuff ''Hang Tuff'' is an album by Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, a jazz band formed by percussionist Kahil El'Zabar, who is joined by saxophonist Edward Wilkerson and trombonist Joseph Bowie. It was recorded in 1990 and released on the German Open Minds la ...

'' (Open Minds, 1991) with

Joseph Bowie Joseph Bowie (born October 17, 1953) is an American jazz trombonist and vocalist. The brother of trumpeter Lester Bowie, Joseph is known for leading the jazz-punk group Defunkt and for membership in the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. Career Bowi ...

Edward Wilkerson Edward L. Wilkerson Jr. (born July 27, 1953 in Terre Haute, Indiana) is an internationally recognized American jazz composer, arranger, musician, and educator based in Chicago. As founder and director of the cutting-edge octet 8 Bold Souls, and th ...

* ''

Dance with the Ancestors ''Dance with the Ancestors'' is an album by Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, a jazz band formed by percussionist Kahil El'Zabar, who is joined by saxophonist Edward Wilkerson and trombonist Joseph Bowie. It was released in 1993 on the Chameleon label an ...

'' (Chameleon, 1993) * '' 21st Century Union March'' ( Silkheart, 1997) with

* '' The Continuum'' (Delmark, 1997) * ''

Papa's Bounce ''Papa's Bounce'' is an album by Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, a jazz band formed by percussionist Kahil El'Zabar, who is joined by trombonist Joseph Bowie, saxophonist Ernest Dawkins and percussionist 'Atu' Harold Murray. It was recorded in 1998 a ...

'' (CIMP, 1998) with

Ernest Dawkins Ernest Dawkins (born 2 November 1953 in Chicago, Illinois, United States) is an American jazz saxophonist, principally active in free jazz and post-bop. Ernest Khabeer Dawkins was a neighbor of Anthony Braxton as a child. He played bass and dru ...

, Atu Harold Murray * ''

Freedom Jazz Dance ''Freedom Jazz Dance'' is an album by Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, a jazz band formed by percussionist Kahil El'Zabar, who is joined by trombonist Joseph Bowie, saxophonist Ernest Dawkins and special guest guitarist Fareed Haque. It was recorded ...

'' (Delmark, 1999) with

Fareed Haque Fareed Haque is an American jazz guitarist, based in Chicago, Illinois. Education Haque was born in Chicago in 1963. His father was from Pakistan, his mother was from Chile. When he was a child, Haque traveled with his parents all over the worl ...

* ''Ka-Real'' (Silkheart, 1997

000 Triple zero, Triple Zero, Zero Zero Zero, Triple 0, Triple-0, 000, or 0-0-0 may refer to: * 000 (emergency telephone number), the Australian emergency telephone number * "Triple Zero", a song by AFI (band), AFI from ''Shut Your Mouth and Open Your ...

* ''Hot 'N' Heavy'' (Delmark, 2007) * ''Mama's House'' (Katalyst, 2009) * ''Black is Back'' (Katalyst, 2014) With Ritual Trio * ''The Ritual'' (Sound Aspects, 1985) * ''Sacred Love'' (Sound Aspects, 1985) - with * ''Another Kind of Groove'' (Sound Aspects, 1986) - with

* ''Alika Rising'' (Sound Aspects, 1990) * ''

Renaissance of the Resistance ''Renaissance of the Resistance'' is an album by American jazz percussionist Kahil El'Zabar and his Ritual Trio, which also includes saxophonist Ari Brown and bassist Malachi Favors. It was recorded in 1993 and released on Delmark. Reception I ...

'' (Delmark, 1994) * '' Big Cliff'' ( Delmark, 1995) - with

* ''

Jitterbug Junction ''Jitterbug Junction'' is an album by American jazz percussionist Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio, which also includes saxophonist Ari Brown and bassist Malachi Favors. It was recorded in 1997 and released on CIMP. Reception In his review for All ...

'' (

CIMP Creative Improvised Music Projects, usually abbreviated CIMP or C.I.M.P., is an American jazz record company and label. It is associated with ''Cadence Magazine'' and Cadence Jazz Records. The label is noted for its minimal use of electronic proc ...

, 1997) with

Ari Brown Ari Brown (born February 1, 1944) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and pianist. Biography Brown grew up in Chicago and attended Wilson College, where he met musicians such as Jack DeJohnette, Henry Threadgill, Roscoe Mitchell, and Joseph ...

* ''

Conversations Conversation is interactive communication between two or more people. The development of conversational skills and etiquette is an important part of socialization. The development of conversational skills in a new language is a frequent focus ...

'' (Delmark, 1999) - with

Archie Shepp Archie Shepp (born May 24, 1937) is an American jazz saxophonist, educator and playwright who since the 1960s has played a central part in the development of avant-garde jazz. Biography Early life Shepp was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but ...

, Ari Brown, Malachi Favors * '' Africa N'Da Blues'' (Delmark, 2000) - with Archie Shepp, Ari Brown, Malachi Favors,

* ''

Live at the River East Art Center ''Live at the River East Art Center'' is a live album by Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio, with special guest violinist Billy Bang, that was recorded in Chicago in 2004 and released on the Delmark label.Billy Bang Billy Bang (September 20, 1947 – April 11, 2011), born William Vincent Walker, was an American free jazz violinist and composer. Biography Bang's family moved to New York City's Bronx neighborhood while he was still an infant, and as a ...

* '' Big M: A Tribute to Malachi Favors'' (Delmark, 2006) - with Billy Bang * ''Ooh Live'' (Bright Moments, 2008) - with Pharoah Sanders * ''The Ancestors Are Amongst Us'' (Katalyst, 2010) - with

Lester Bowie Lester Bowie (October 11, 1941 – November 8, 1999) was an American jazz trumpet player and composer. He was a member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and co-founded the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Biography Born in t ...

* '' Follow the Sun'' (Delmark, 2013) With Tri-Factor * ''The Power'' (CIMP, 2000) - with

Hamiet Bluiett Hamiet Bluiett (; September 16, 1940 – October 4, 2018) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. His primary instrument was the baritone saxophone, and he was considered one of the finest players of this instrument. A membe ...

* ''If You Believe'' (8th Harmonic Breakdown, 2002)

As sideman

With David Murray *'' A Sanctuary Within'' (Black Saint, 1991) *''

The Tip ''The Tip'' is a 1918 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd. Distributed by the Pathé Exchange, the film was released in US cinemas on January 6. The film was shown in France on March 7, 1919 under the title "Lui et la voyante". I ...

'' (DIW, 1994) *''

Jug-A-Lug ''Jug-A-Lug'' is an album by David Murray, released on the Japanese DIW label. Recorded in 1994 and released in 1995, the album features performances by Murray with Olu Dara, Robert Irving III, Bobby Broom, Daryl Thompson, Darryl Jones, Toby Willi ...

'' (DIW, 1994) With

Wadada Leo Smith Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith (born December 18, 1941) is an American trumpeter and composer, working primarily in the fields of avant-garde jazz and free improvisation. He was one of three finalists for the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Music for ''Ten Free ...

*'' Procession of the Great Ancestry'' (Nessa, 1989)

References

External links

*
Delmark Records: Interview with Kahil EL'Zabar
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zabar, Kahil 1953 births African-American drummers American jazz composers American male jazz composers American jazz drummers American jazz percussionists Avant-garde jazz musicians CIMP artists Delmark Records artists Lake Forest College alumni Living people Musicians from Chicago 20th-century American drummers American male drummers Jazz musicians from Illinois 20th-century American male musicians Ethnic Heritage Ensemble members 20th-century African-American musicians 21st-century African-American people