Performing and recording at the vanguard of Chicago’s musical scene for the past 5 decades, Kahil El’Zabar’s impact on jazz, avant-garde music and beyond is significant. Known firstly as a Drummer & percussionist, El’Zabar is also a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, band-leader, singer, composer, conductor, arts curator, tailor and educator.

His pioneering sound, sometimes described as “spiritual groove”, incorporating African instrumentation and musical traditions with spiritual jazz, has been incredibly influential upon jazz musicians, producers of electronic
music and so many musicians from around the world who have experimented with mixing traditional and contemporary music.