Kahil El'Zabar


Kahil El'Zabar is an American jazz multi-instrumentalist and composer. He regularly records for Delmark Records.
WWW kahilelzabar.net

Life and work

El'Zabar was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Lake Forest College and joined the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians in the early 1970s, and became its chairman in 1975. During the 1970s, he formed the musical groups Ritual Trio and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, both of which remain active. Musicians with whom Kahil EL'Zabar has collaborated include Cannonball Adderley, Billy Bang, Dizzy Gillespie, David Murray, Pharoah Sanders, Paul Simon, Nina Simone, and Stevie Wonder.
In 2017 the film Be Known - The Mystery of Kahil El Zabar by filmmaker Dwayne Johnson-Cochran was released. The documentary follows El' Zabar and band on their 2007 Black History Month tour.

Discography (partial)

As leader/co-leader

Golden Sea - with David MurrayReturn of the Lost Tribe as Bright Moments with Joseph Jarman, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Malachi Favors and Adegoke Steve ColsonOne World Family - with David MurraySpirits Entering - with Billy BangLove Outside of Dreams - with David Murray, Fred HopkinsWe Is - with David MurrayTransmigration What It Is! Kahil El’Zabar’s Spirit Groove - with David MurrayKahil El'Zabar's America the Beautiful
With Ethnic Heritage EnsembleThree Gentlemen From Chicago Impressions Welcome Ancestral Song Hang Tuff with Joseph Bowie, Edward WilkersonDance with the Ancestors 21st Century Union March with Joseph Bowie, Edward WilkersonThe Continuum Papa's Bounce with Joseph Bowie, Ernest Dawkins, Atu Harold MurrayFreedom Jazz Dance with Fareed HaqueKa-Real Hot 'N' Heavy Mama's House Black is Back Be Known Ancient/Future/Music
With Ritual TrioThe Ritual Sacred Love - with Another Kind of Groove - with Billy BangAlika Rising Renaissance of the Resistance Big Cliff - with Billy BangJitterbug Junction with Ari Brown, Malachi FavorsConversations - with Archie Shepp, Ari Brown, Malachi Favors Africa N'Da Blues - with Archie Shepp, Ari Brown, Malachi Favors, Pharoah Sanders Live at the River East Art Center - with Billy BangBig M: A Tribute to Malachi Favors - with Billy BangOoh Live - with Pharoah SandersThe Ancestors Are Amongst Us - with Lester BowieFollow the Sun
With Tri-FactorThe Power - with Hamiet Bluiett, Billy BangIf You Believe
With Kahil El'Zabar Quartet
  • ''A Time For Healing''

As sideman

With David Murray
With Wadada Leo Smith