Celebrate Black History Month with the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble at BAVPA Thursday

Thursday, February 25, 6:30 & 8pm--A Celebration of Black History: a Look at Buffalo and the Niagara Movement feat. KAHIL EL' ZABAR & THE ETHNIC HERITAGE ENSEMBLE (Chicago). Buffalo Academy for Visual & Performing Arts, 450 Masten Ave. Buffalo, N.Y. 14209 • (716) 816-4220 $6/3 adults/students of BAVPA, $15/10 general public

A multi-media, multi-disciplinary celebratory extravaganza featuring a collaboration between the students of Buffalo Academy for Visual & Performing Arts and Chicago's internationally renowned jazz legends Kahil El' Zabar & the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble.

Kahil El' Zabar (drums, percussion, voice)
Ernest Khabeer Dawkins (alto/tenor saxophone)
Corey Wilkes (trumpet/flugelhorn)

The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble was formed 35 years ago. Kahil El'Zabar is the founder of the band and led its first performance at Child City Arts Center, in Chicago, in 1973. This was a year after he had returned from the University of Ghana. His goal was to combine concepts of African American music making with the earlier roots of traditional African music and make it something new. After 35 years, this legendary band is still serving the people worldwide with their special brand of 21st century Griot music. The current band consists of the young trumpet titan, Corey Wilkes, along with Chicago Saxophone legend, Ernest Khabeer Dawkins and the award winning multi percussionist, vocalist, and composer, Kahil El'Zabar.

The EHE is now in the pantheon of jazz history. Few bands have lasted more than three decades and there are no signs of this illustrious ensemble slowing down. Their music conjures a spiritual journey to the inner self. It spans time through multiple expressions that transcend styles and genres. There is an extremely personal virtuosity to the EHE's way of making music. It appears simple on the surface, yet when one goes deeper in the music they are amazed at the density of form.

www.kahilelzabar.com