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In
1976, renowned Chicago percussionist Kahil El'Zabar formed
the ETHNIC HERITAGE ENSEMBLE shortly after graduating from
the school of the Association for the Advancement of
Creative Musicians. Combining contemporary African American
musical styles with traditional African instrumentation and
rhythms the ensemble heralded a new style of Post-Bop Free
Jazz expression which has continued over a quarter century
through worldwide touring and 9 critically acclaimed albums.
The trio of Kahil El'Zabar, Joseph Bowie and Ernest
"Khabeer" Dawkins' unique instrumentation - trap drums,
African and Latin hand-percussion, saxophone, trombone,
digeridoo, bass clarinet and kalimba among many others -
endow their music with a warm textural richness and depth.
While classic albums like Continuum and Freedom Jazz Dance
embody the ensemble's spirit, witnessing the live
mulit-instrumental improvisations of the group is an
experience unique in Jazz music.
Toronto's
Artword Theatre is an elegant setting in which to see and
hear the ensemble. This intimate space has sloped movie
theatre seating and a large dance stage combined with
professional lighting and sound facilities. This is a
non-smoking venue. This event is produced in association
with CKLN 88.1 FM and Rhythmethod Productions. The ensemble
will also be playing in Ottawa and Montreal.
ETHNIC
HERITAGE ENSEMBLE mini biographies:
Kahil
El'Zabar - This internationally renowned percussionist and
composer is an accomplished musician with mastery of a
variety of instruments to his credit - congas, bongos,
African drums, shekere, gongs, trap drums, balaphon,
marimba, sanza, kalimba, balaphon, and berimbau. He has
performed and recorded worldwide with such luminaries as
Dizzy Gillespie, Donny Hathaway, David Murray, Stevie
Wonder, Henry Threadgill and Paul Simon. In addition to the
Ensemble, El'Zabar also leads the Ritual Trio (featuring
bassist Malachi Favors Maghostut and saxophonist Ari Brown)
as well as collaborating with Pharoah Sanders, Hamiett
Bluiett and Billy Bang. His talents have also extended to
scoring feature films like "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures)
and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures).
Joseph
Bowie - Brother to legendary trumpeter Lester Bowie, Bowie
first learned the trombone and later became skilled at
playing the saxophone and percussion. In 1973, Bowie managed
the legendary La Mama Theater and performed with jazz
innovators like Cecil Taylor, Frank Lowe and Anthony
Braxton. Also during this period, Bowie formed the St. Louis
Creative Ensemble and performed with the New York All-Star
Blues Band (Left Hand Frank, Philip Wilson and Henry
Threadgill). From 1978-1983 Bowie turned New York's radical
underground music scene on its ear with his avant Jazz Funk
creation Defunkt - producing classic albums like Defunkt,
Razor's Edge and Thermonuclear Sweat. Bowie has also toured
with Charlie Haden's Liberation Orchestra and performed with
the David Murray Big Band while also recording with a number
of European artists including the Vienna Arts Orchestra,
Count Basic and the Sebastian Piekarek Quartet.
Ernest
"Khabeer" Dawkins - Replacing Edward Wilkerson Jr. in the
Ethnic Heritage Ensemble in 1997, Dawkin's constantly
utilizes his skills as a musician, composer and arranger as
an educator in order to advance the identification and
appreciation of the rich African-American music experience
into a realm of high recognition. Since 1978, Dawkins has
been teaching at AACM's school of music as well as leading
the New Horizons Ensemble - which plays a combination of
Jazz, Bebop, Swing and Avant Garde. Skilled at playing bass,
conga, saxophone, clarinet and flute - Dawkins has worked
with a myriad of music greats including; Ramsey Lewis, Muhal
Richard Abrams, Lester Bowie, Edward Wilkerson, Jr., Henry
Threadgill, Amina Claudine Meyers, Anthony Braxton, Jack
McDuff, Famadou Don Moye, Jerry Butler, and the Dells.
For further information, please
contact:
Shane Gerard
Rhythmethod Productions
Ph: 416.532.7224
E-mail: rhythm1@total.net
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