Name: Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble
Start: 2025-02-07T19:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-02-07T22:00:00-05:00
Location: Rhizome DC

Please join Transparent Productions for a performance of Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble in observance of Black History Month 2025.
Kahil El’Zabar - drums, percussion, and voice
Corey Wilkes - Trumpet
Alex Harding - Baritone Saxophone
Friday February 7th at 7:00 PM at Rhizome DC. Admission: $25-$35 sliding scale.
THE ETHNIC HERITAGE ENSEMBLE (EHE) was formed in 1974 shortly after Sir Kahil El'Zabar graduated from Lake Forest College with the goal “To combine concepts of African American music with its earliest roots in traditional African music, to produce new motifs and sounds true to their origins yet firmly pointed in a new artistic direction of enlightenment and deep listening". Half a century later and the rich, compelling, ever-evolving sound they are known for, is still going strong. Together with the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is one of the two remaining original groups active in the world today that were nurtured in the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians). El'Zabar attests "My concept was based in logic as it pertains to the history of Great Black Music."
In other words, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has a strong rhythmic foundation, innovative harmonics and counterpoint, well-balanced interplay and polyphony among the players for highly developed ensemble dynamics. They are strong individual soloists with an in-depth grasp of music history, originality, fearlessness and deep spirituality. Alongside multi-faceted El’Zabar, the EHE’s current line-up includes Corey Wilkes on trumpet, who has worked with numerous jazz masters, including Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Elling, and multi-instrumentalist Alex Harding on baritone sax, who has performed with Dollar Brand, Julius Hemphill Sun Ra, and Fela The Musical. They whip up an electrifying mix of spiritual jazz and African rhythms built around fundamental brass improvisations and a swing-induced groove. The resulting trance-like fervor, transports one into a mind opening journey of spiritually enlightened deep listening.
SIR KAHIL EL’ZABAR was Knighted by the Council General of France for his Global contributions to the Arts. He has performed with luminaries like, Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley, Pharoah Sanders, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Archie Shepp, Eddie Harris, Donny Hathaway, Paul Simon, Ntozake Shange, Nona Hendryx, Neneh Cherry, Lester Bowie, Hamiet Bluiett, Malachi Favors, Billy Bang, Gene Ammons, to name a few. Dr.El’Zabar, holds a PHD from Lake Forest College in Interdisciplinary Arts. He taught music at the U. Nebraska/Lincoln, and U. IL/Chicago. He was Appointed by Pres. Bill Clinton to the National Task Force for Arts Presenting in Education. He was presented the International Ambassador Award from Pres. Barack Obama’s Administration. El’zabar, has served on the prestigious boards of the Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Fund,The National Endowment of the Arts, and the National Campaign for the Freedom of Expression. He is also the former chairmen of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). El’Zabar has recorded 70+ acclaimed projects, and founded and leads the legendary Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Ritual Trio, Kahil El’Zabar Quartet, and Orchestra Infinity. El’Zabar is the conceptual director and founder of OOH NOW, an online culture network.
COREY WILKES, one of the most sought after trumpeters in the world today, is an alumnus of the famed Berklee College of Music. He’s a former associate professor of jazz trumpet at Roosevelt University (2008- 2016). He is a current member of the world famous AACM. Mr. Wilkes had the honor of being chosen to replace the late ,great Lester Bowie in the Art Ensemble of Chicago. He is currently starring in a recurring role in the hit TV show,”Empire”. Wilkes has played with the greats, Roy Hargrove, Dr.Lonnie Liston Smith, James Carter, Bilal, Roscoe Mitchell, and Nona Hendryx
ALEX HARDING is one of the most sought after baritone saxophonists in New York City. In recent years, Alex has moved back to his hometown of Detroit and still is one of the busiest musicians in the world. He studied privately for many years with the legendary baritone saxophonist, Hamiet Bluiett. Alex was the band director of the Tony Award winning Broadway hit, ”Fela”. He has worked with legends such as Dollar Brand, Sun Ra, Hamiet Bluiett, James Carter, Roy Hargrove, Oliver Lake, Joe Bowie’s Defunkt, Aretha Franklin.