Please note, the advertised start time is when our doors will open, generally music starts one hour after doors.
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Kahil El’Zabar has been one of the deepest and most forward-thinking artists from Chicago’s renowned improvised music scene for many years. Working in many creative contexts as a member of the boundlessly innovative AACM, El’Zabar founded the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble in 1974, as a way to further explore the connections between African-American music, like jazz, with more traditional African instrumentation and rhythms. Touring frequently in Europe and the United States, they established a global reputation.
The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble includes trumpeter, Corey Wilkes, tenor saxophonist Kevin Nabors, cellist Ishmael Ali and the compelling presence of Kahil El’Zabar on drum set, hand percussion, Kalimba, and soulful vocalizations.
The Ensemble celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a much acclaimed Album ‘Open Me’ (SpiritMuse Records) and world tour.
The EHE was founded by El’Zabar in 1974 originally as a quintet, but was soon paired down to its classic form — a trio, featuring El’Zabar on multi-percussion and voice, plus two horns. It was an unusual format, even by the standards of the outward-bound musicians of the AACM: “Some people literally laughed at our unorthodox instrumentation and approach. We were considered even stranger than most AACM bands at the time. I knew in my heart though that that this band had legs, and that my concept was based on logic as it pertains to the history of Great Black Music, i.e. a strong rhythmic foundation, innovative harmonics and counterpoint, well-balanced interplay and cacophony amongst the players, strong individual soloist, highly developed and studied ensemble dynamics, an in-depth grasp of music history, originality, fearlessness, and deep spirituality.”
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Support from Amon Ra Collective
Space-faring Leeds Cosmic Jazz Ensemble, Amon Ra Collective are a large community of over 20 members, appearing at live shows for the past 3 years in different combinations of between 2-15 people. Led by Samuel Ehret-Pickett, they play an exciting fusion of energetic solos, pulsing rhythms, electronic noise, free improvisation and Butch Morris' Conduction method with jazz, rock, world, afrobeat, drum and bass, and funk compositions.
Inspired by the music of Miles Davis’ electric Jazz Fusion, John Coltrane’s Fiery Impulse Releases, the spiritual jazz of Don Cherry, the ethio-jazz of Mulatu Astake and afrobeat of Fela Kuti.
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Under 25? We’re offering an under 25’s Jazz Explorer ticket to this event for just £8! Or grab a Jazz Explorers double ticket & stay on for Cosmo Sofi All Night Long - just £13 for the gig & club night!
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Please note we are unable to offer refunds. You can click here to view our full refunds policy.
