He himself is seventy years old, his legendary Ethnic Heritage Ensemble turns fifty this year, but there is no question of wear and tear with Kahil El'Zabar – rather, continuous growth. On their new album Open Me, A Higher Consciousness Of Sound And Spirit, his group’s eighteenth, he shows himself to be more creative than ever. The multi-tasking percussionist, composer and fashion designer continues to build on his interpretation of the history and future of black music. The ensemble links its own compositions to timeless classics by, for example, Miles Davis and McCoy Tyner, sometimes with a spiritual sound, sometimes deeply funky. El’Zabar has now added additional stringed instruments, such as cello and violin, to the group’s already non-standard lineup. The ensemble’s fiftieth anniversary show promises to be a sonic trip past all things jazz.
