Kahil El'Zabar

Kahil El'Zabar

Kahil El'Zabar is a Chicago-born jazz and free jazz percussionist. He is a longtime member and former president of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians in Chicago, and he works with musicians connected to that collective. His music draws on African traditions and is built around percussion, groove and improvisation.

He plays drum set as well as a range of percussion instruments from different parts of the world, including the African thumb harp and djembe. He is also active as a bandleader and collaborator across several ensembles.

Groups and collaborations

El'Zabar is a founding member of Kahil El'Zabar’s Ritual Trio, which includes Ari Brown on saxophone and Malachi Favors on bass. He also forms part of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, working at different times with Ernest Dawkins and Ed Wilkerson, Jr. He frequently collaborates with Billy Bang, and has also worked with Pharoah Sanders and Archie Shepp.