Jazz Articles about Kahil El'Zabar

Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio: Live At The River East Art Center

by Michael McCaw
August 11, 2005

Kahil El'Zabar and his numerous musical collaborations have a majesty of quiet determinism, a lyrical sense of space, and a consummate sound.El'Zabar's Ritual Trio has been around for a number of years, and his association with violinist Billy Bang, this recording's special guest, goes back to the days when they were high school b-ballers. But the core trio of El'Zabar on percussion (he's also a proponent of the kalimba as a complete instrument), overlooked tenor master Ari Brown, ...

Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio feat. Billy Bang: Live at the River East Art Center

by Derek Taylor
June 17, 2005

The Art Ensemble of Chicago wasn't the only band to lose its anchor when Malachi Favors passed away in early '03. The bassist's other outlet, Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio also found itself rudderless. Rather than lament the loss at length, El'Zabar conscripted Yosef Ben Israel, another longtime colleague, to fill the slot. Taped at one of the percussionist's frequent loft events, multidisciplinary celebrations that incorporate painters, DJs, and dancers and encourage audience interaction, this set is also a reunion of ...

Kahil El'Zabar & David Murray: We Is: Live at the Bop Shop

by Eyal Hareuveni
March 11, 2005

In the last few years we have become accustomed to hearing saxophonist David Murray playing with an agenda, especially since he began recording for the Canadian Justin Time label in 1996. With Justin Time Murray has released conceptual albums, either as a leader or as a member of the World Saxophone Quartet, that include tributes to John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Jimi Hendrix, or pursued side projects with music from Senegal and Guadeloupe. I miss the hard-blowing Murray who plays ...

A Fireside Chat with Kahil El'Zabar

by AAJ Staff
February 21, 2004

Having been given the gift of Archie Shepp (who hasn't been on record in years) and Pharoah Sanders, Kahil El'Zabar is a Roadshow superhero. I am honored to bring to you the honorable Kahil El'Zabar, unedited and in his own words.

All About Jazz: Let's start from the beginning.

KAHIL EL'ZABAR: It was definitely a passion based on being influenced by older musicians that I have a lot of respect for, the way they lived and ...

Kahil El'Zabar: Love Outside Of Dreams

by Kurt Gottschalk
November 1, 2002

Despite more domestic releases in the last decade than ever before in his career, and a higher profile after playing with the likes of Hamiet Bluiett and DD Jackson, percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar remains one of the best kept secrets in the Midwest. There are a few possible (if superficial) reasons: the strong Africanism embraced by much of Chicago's AACM (where El'Zabar got his start) doesn't always play in New York; his simple repeated-and-inverted themes are, admittedly, an acquired ...

Kahil El'Zabar Trio: Love Outside Of Dreams

by Mark Corroto
September 1, 2002

African-American music (and African music for that matter) has always been about groove, movement, and that internal mechanism in your chest (perhaps your heart) that undulates and sways to the beat. In jazz, the rhythm catches you. If you explore further, melody and improvisation demands your surrender to this religion.For more than 25 years, percussionist Kahil El’Zabar has worked at the crossroads of jazz and African music providing the groove for AACM creations and his own Ritual and ...

Kahil El'Zabar: Spirits Entering

by Bernie Koenig
April 18, 2002

This is truly great example of what a duo is all about. Billy Bang is the preeminent jazz violinist today and El'Zabar is a master percussionist. Together they create incredible moods and, on any and all levels, incredible music.

The two have a long history of performing together and it shows. They interact as if they have ESP. This record is not a violin accompanied by drums but a true duet in which both players are equal. El?Zabar ...