Contact Wave: Kahil El'Zabar
03.19.23
Co-hosted by Chris Kissel and Chuck Soo-Hoo, the twice-monthly dublab program Contact Wave enthusiastically celebrates the best experimental, avant-garde, psychedelic, and off-the-grid music crafted in L.A. and beyond.
This week, we welcome Kahil El’Zabar. Performing and recording at the vanguard of Chicago’s musical scene for the past five decades, El’Zabar’s impact on jazz, avant-garde music and beyond is significant. Known firstly as a drummer & percussionist, El’Zabar is also a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, bandleader, singer, composer, conductor, arts curator, tailor and educator. His pioneering sound, sometimes described as “spiritual groove,” incorporating African instrumentation and musical traditions with spiritual jazz, has been incredibly influential upon jazz musicians, producers of electronic music and so many musicians from around the world who have experimented with mixing traditional and contemporary music.
Most recently, Kahil El’Zabar’s essential albums released on Spiritmuse Records have rightfully re-established him worldwide as an authentic and leading artist in spiritual jazz and groove. These albums including Spirit Groove, featuring legendary saxophonist David Murray, the epic & magnificent America the Beautiful, and 2022’s A Time For Healing with the Kahil El’Zabar Quartet.
This conversation centers on El’Zabar’s forthcoming release Spirit Gatherer, a tribute to legendary trumpeter Don Cherry. The album features El’Zabar’s longtime trio the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble – including Corey Wilkes on trumpet and Alex Harding on baritone saxophone – as well as guests Dwight Trible and the late David Ornette Cherry.
Tracklist:
Kahil El’Zabar – EXPRESS YOURSELF — from “Kahil El’Zabar’s America the Beautiful” (Spiritmuse) (2020)
**Kahil El’Zabar Interview**
Kahil El’Zabar and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble — Degi-Degi — from “Spirit Gatherer • Tribute to Don Cherry” (Spiritmuse) (2023)
Don Cherry — Degi-Degi — from “Brown Rice” (EMI) (1975)
Kahil El’Zabar and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble — Holy Man — from “Spirit Gatherer • Tribute to Don Cherry” (Spiritmuse) (2023)
Kahil El’Zabar’s Spirit Groove — In My House — from “Spirit Groove” (Spiritmuse) (2020)
Archie Shepp & Kahil El’Zabar’s Ritual Trio — Revelations — from “Conversations” (Delmark) (1999)
Billy Bang & Kahil El’Zabar — The Dream Merchant — from “Spirits Entering” (Denmark) (2001)
Collin Walcott — Gold Sun — from “Grazing Dreams” (ECM) (1977)
The Necks — Imprinting — from “Travel” (Northern Spy) (2023)
Don Cherry — Symphony for Improvisers — from “Symphony for Improvisers” (Blue Note) (1966)
