Kahil El'Zabar

Kahil El'Zabar (born Clifton Blackburn; November 11, 1953) is an American jazz multi-instrumentalist (mainly a percussionist) and composer. He regularly records for Delmark Records.^[1]

Life and work

El'Zabar was born in

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. The film has been available on Amazon Prime.

Discography (partial)

As leader/co-leader

• Golden Sea (Sound Aspects, 1989) - with David Murray
• Return of the Lost Tribe (Delmark, 1998) as Bright Moments with Joseph Jarman, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Malachi Favors and Adegoke Steve Colson
• One World Family (CIMP, 2000) - with David Murray
• Spirits Entering (Delmark, 2001) - with Billy Bang
• Love Outside of Dreams (Delmark, 2002) - with David Murray, Fred Hopkins
• We Is (Delmark, 2004) - with David Murray
• Transmigration (Delmark, 2007)
• What It Is!
  (Delmark, 2013)
• Kahil El’Zabar’s Spirit Groove (Spiritmuse, 2020) - with David Murray
• Kahil El'Zabar's America the Beautiful (Spiritmuse, 2020)

With Ethnic Heritage Ensemble

• Three Gentlemen From Chicago (Moers Music, 1981)
• Impressions (Red Records, 1982)
• Welcome (Leo Records, 1984)
• Ancestral Song (Silkheart, 1988)
• Hang Tuff (Open Minds, 1991) with Joseph Bowie, Edward Wilkerson
• Dance with the Ancestors (Chameleon, 1993)
• 21st Century Union March (Silkheart, 1997) with Joseph Bowie, Edward Wilkerson
• The Continuum (Delmark, 1997)
• Papa's Bounce (CIMP, 1998) with Joseph Bowie, Ernest Dawkins, Atu Harold Murray
• Freedom Jazz Dance (Delmark, 1999) with Fareed Haque
• Ka-Real (Silkheart, 1997 [2000])
• Hot 'N' Heavy (Delmark, 2007)
• Mama's House (Katalyst, 2009)
• Black is Back (Katalyst, 2014)
• Be Known Ancient/Future/Music (Spiritmuse, 2019)^[3]

With Ritual Trio

• The Ritual (Sound Aspects, 1985)
• Sacred Love (Sound Aspects, 1985) - with
  Donald Rafael Garrett [it
  ]
• Another Kind of Groove (Sound Aspects, 1986) - with Billy Bang
• Alika Rising (Sound Aspects, 1990)
• Renaissance of the Resistance (Delmark, 1994)
• Big Cliff (Delmark, 1995) - with Billy Bang
• Jitterbug Junction (CIMP, 1997) with Ari Brown, Malachi Favors
• Conversations (Delmark, 1999) - with Archie Shepp, Ari Brown, Malachi Favors
• Africa N'Da Blues (Delmark, 2000) - with Archie Shepp, Ari Brown, Malachi Favors, Pharoah Sanders
• Live at the River East Art Center (Delmark, 2005) - with Billy Bang
• Big M: A Tribute to Malachi Favors (Delmark, 2006) - with Billy Bang
• Ooh Live (Bright Moments, 2008) - with Pharoah Sanders
• The Ancestors Are Amongst Us (Katalyst, 2010) - with Lester Bowie
• Follow the Sun (Delmark, 2013)

With Tri-Factor

• The Power (CIMP, 2000) - with Hamiet Bluiett, Billy Bang
• If You Believe (8th Harmonic Breakdown, 2002)

With Kahil El'Zabar Quartet

• A Time For Healing (Spiritmuse, 2022)^[4]

As sideman

With David Murray

• A Sanctuary Within (Black Saint, 1991)
• The Tip (DIW, 1994)
• Jug-A-Lug (DIW, 1994)

With Wadada Leo Smith

• Procession of the Great Ancestry (Nessa, 1989)

References