Spirit of Life Ensemble

Spirit of Life Ensemble: A Little Oasis

by George Kanzler
November 16, 2006

Describing itself as “a multicultural collective, the Jersey City-based Spirit of Life Ensemble has been active since 1977 with a shifting cast of musicians. The group was an early pioneer in jazz and world music fusion; it has always included hand percussionists in addition to a drummer, and has always featured vocalists. It also has a large educational component, performing and giving classes in libraries and schools. In more recent decades, it has been a pioneering American band at jazz ...