The legendary Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has toured internationally, as well as recorded enumerable celebrated projects over the last 45 years. The current line-up, featuring Corey Wilkes (trumpet), Alex Harding (baritone sax), and the band’s founder, Dr. Kahil El’Zabar (multi-percussion/composition), is guaranteed to inspire audience, as well as garner significant media for every presenter.
The EHE is a must-see ensemble , who’s truly making history with each performance! They are 21st century Griot, making Great Black Music for the Mind, Body, and Spirit! Their 2019 touring season , will be kicked off with Amazon Prime’s world premier of the EHE’s international award winning feature film documentary, “Be Known!”. It was executive produced by super star actors , Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance , and directed by Dwayne Johnson Cochran. Whom ever books this legendary band in 2019 , is sure to draw large audiences and acquire lots of press! The EHE is available for concerts, club dates, private performances, workshops, and press events. Bookings are on a first come, first serve basis, so make your booking now!
The current lineup features Corey Wilkes (trumpet/percussion), Alex Harding (baritone sax/percussion), and Maestro El’Zabar (multi-percussion/voice/composition). The chemistry between these three musical shaman is an epiphany to behold. They passionately transport their audience, taking all on a celestial journey, that spans the entire history of Great Black Music and Beyond!
Dr. Kahil El’Zabar holds a PHD in Inter/disciplinary Arts, Lake Forest College, 2006. He has toured with greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, Lester Bowie, Neneh Cherry, Nona Hendryx, Billy Bang, Hamiet Bluiett, and David Murray. El’Zabar has recorded more the 60 acclaimed projects. He scored music for feature films like Mo Money, Love Jones, How U Like Me Now, and America the Beautiful III. He also scored arrangements for the theatrical version of Disney’s The Lion King. Famed actors Angela Basset and Courtney Vance produced an award winning documentary on El’Zabar entitled, Be Known. In 2014, Sir Kahil El’Zabar was knighted by the Council General of France, as a Chevalier. He’s won percussionist of the year 4 times, Jazz Journalist Assoc., and twice Downbeat Magazine. El’Zabar is also a published poet and a painter.
Corey Wilkes is an award winning trumpeter who has toured with Art Ensemble of Chicago, Roy Hargrove, James Carter, Roy Ayers, Seun Kuti, Roscoe Mitchell, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Nona Hendryx and more. He also currently has e reoccurring role on the hit TV show, Empire. Downbeat Mag named him the most promising trumpeter on the scene. Corey is an alumnus of Berkley School of Music and a former professor at Roosevelt U. He has recorded several highly noticed projects under his name, and is on countless other prominent artist’s projects. Mr. Wilkes is a passionate and intelligent player, who is very well informed on the history of his instrument. He is one of todays most sought after instrumentalist, and very well thought of by his peers!
Alex Harding is the go-to baritone saxophonist of today! He has performed in the bands of such legends as Dollar Brand, William Parker, Hamiet Bluiett, Sun Ra, Joe Bowie’s Dfunkt, Aretha Franklin, David Murray Big Band, and is currently playing in the the Tony Award winning hit Broadway play, Fela. Alex is on enumerable recordings with many of the greatest names in cotemporary music. His sound is full and robust, with a unique tenderness that makes him immediately recognizable. Alex hails from Detroit and came up with both James Carter and Regina Carter. He moved and lived in New York City for over 25 years, where he became the most frequently hired Baritone saxophonist on the scene.
Kahil El’Zabar: allmusic.com/aritst/kahil-elzabar