MUSIC

Proper Ent., Nameless Sound & Project Row Houses join forces with AustinSurreal/HoustonSoReal to present Ethnic Heritage Ensemble in Austin and Houston.

Founded by internationally renowned percussionist and composer Dr. Kahil El’Zabar, in 1973, Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is criss crossing the United States throughout the month of February on their “A Time for Healing” tour. Their live show is like nothing you’ve experienced before. Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is a trio of jazz innovators who have influenced generations of musicians from Chicago and around the world.

Kahil El Zabar has played alongside a myriad of jazz greats: Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderly, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp to name but a few, and was also in the bands of Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Nina Simone, and Paul Simon. Kahil has also recorded with Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and leads the jazz/house outfit, JUBA Collective.

Kahil joined Chicago’s Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians in 1968, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization, which led Time Magazine to write an article about his being the youngest administrator of a major arts organization in America. Kahil scored the films Mo’ Money, Love Jones and How U Like Me Now, and did the musical arrangements for the stage performances of Disney’s “The Lion King.”

Ernest Khabeer Dawkins is one of Chicago’s premier jazz saxophonists and is the founder and leader of his own group, New Horizons Ensemble. Dawkins has worked with many music greats including: Ramsey Lewis, Muhal Richard Abrams, Lester Bowie, Edward Wilkerson, Jr., Henry Threadgill, Amina Claudine Myers, Anthony Braxton, Jack McDuff, Don Moye, Jerry Butler, and The Dells.

Corey Wilkes is a relative newcomer, but his accomplishments approach that of an already seasoned vet. He burst onto the Chicago jazz scene in 2002 and soon took on the ghost of Lester Bowie to fill the vacant trumpet seat in the The Art Ensemble of Chicago. No easy shoes to fill. Since then he’s shared the stage with Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Ledisi, Soulive, James Moody, Meshell Ndegeocello, Mike Phillips, Roscoe Mitchell, Von Freeman, Fred Anderson, Will Calhoun, Malcom Jamal-Warner and so many more.

Corey’s soulful notes can be heard gracing a variety of projects such as DJ sets by Logic, Osunlade and Josh Deep; tracks on Hidden Beach’s Unwrapped Vol 4, as well as Kahil El Zabar’s Ascension Loft Series.

Schedule of Performances:

Feb. 9, 2011 – Ethnic Heritage Ensemble live at The ND, 501 N. I-H 35, Austin, TX(Presented by Proper Ent. & AustinSurreal)

Feb. 10, 2011: 8-11 PM – Ethnic Heritage Ensemble live at The Eldorado Ballroom, 2310 Elgin St., Houston, TX (Presented by Nameless Sound, and HoustonSoReal, CO-Sponsored by Project Row Houses)

These shows are not to be missed.