Kahil El'Zabar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kahil El'Zabar |
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| Background information | |
| Born | November 11, 1953 Chicago, Illinois |
| Genres | Bebop Afro-Cuban jazz Free jazz |
| Instruments | Percussion, drums |
Kahil El'Zabar (born Clifton Blackburn on November 11, 1953) is an American jazz musician. He is known for playing many instruments, especially percussion and drums. He is also a talented composer who writes music. Kahil El'Zabar often records his music with a company called Delmark Records.
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Life and Music Journey
Kahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago, Illinois. He went to Lake Forest College. In the early 1970s, he joined a special group called the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). This group helps musicians create new and exciting music. By 1975, Kahil El'Zabar became the leader of the AACM.
During the 1970s, he started two important music groups: Ritual Trio and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. Both of these groups are still active today, playing music for audiences around the world.
Working with Other Artists
Kahil El'Zabar has played music with many famous artists. Some of these include Cannonball Adderley, Dizzy Gillespie, Pharoah Sanders, Paul Simon, Nina Simone, and Stevie Wonder. This shows how respected he is in the music world.
In 2017, a film about him was released. It's called Be Known - The Mystery of Kahil El Zabar. This documentary follows Kahil El'Zabar and his band on a tour they did in 2007. The film helps people learn more about his life and music.
Music Albums
Kahil El'Zabar has released many albums, both as a leader and with his groups. Here are some of the main projects he has been involved with:
As a Leader or Co-Leader
He has made several albums where he is the main artist. These include:
- Golden Sea (1989)
- Return of the Lost Tribe (1998)
- One World Family (2000)
- Spirits Entering (2001)
- Love Outside of Dreams (2002)
- We Is (2004)
- Transmigration (2007)
- What It Is! (2013)
- Kahil El’Zabar’s Spirit Groove (2020)
- Kahil El'Zabar's America the Beautiful (2020)
- A Time For Healing (2022)
With the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble
This is one of the groups Kahil El'Zabar started. They have released many albums together, such as:
- Three Gentlemen From Chicago (1981)
- Impressions (1982)
- Welcome (1984)
- Ancestral Song (1988)
- Hang Tuff (1991)
- Dance with the Ancestors (1993)
- 21st Century Union March (1997)
- The Continuum (1997)
- Papa's Bounce (1998)
- Freedom Jazz Dance (1999)
- Ka-Real (2000)
- Hot 'N' Heavy (2007)
- Mama's House (2009)
- Black is Back (2014)
- Be Known Ancient/Future/Music (2019)
With Ritual Trio
Another important group formed by Kahil El'Zabar is Ritual Trio. Their albums include:
- The Ritual (1985)
- Sacred Love (1985)
- Another Kind of Groove (1986)
- Alika Rising (1990)
- Renaissance of the Resistance (1994)
- Big Cliff (1995)
- Jitterbug Junction (1997)
- Conversations (1999)
- Africa N'Da Blues (2000)
- Live at the River East Art Center (2005)
- Big M: A Tribute to Malachi Favors (2006)
- Ooh Live (2008)
- The Ancestors Are Amongst Us (2010)
- Follow the Sun (2013)
Other Collaborations
Kahil El'Zabar has also played with other groups and as a sideman (a supporting musician).
- With Tri-Factor, he released The Power (2000) and If You Believe (2002).
- He also played on albums by David Murray like A Sanctuary Within (1991) and The Tip (1994).
- He contributed to Procession of the Great Ancestry (1989) by Wadada Leo Smith.
