The legendary Chicago multi-percussionist and composer Sir Kahil El’Zabar, celebrates 50 years of The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble’s legacy and unwavering contribution to Great Black Music at The Waldo on Feb. 18.

EHE was formed in 1974 shortly after Sir Kahil El’Zabar graduated from Lake Forest College, with the goal “To combine concepts of African American music with its earlier roots in traditional African music, to produce new motifs and sounds true to their origins yet firmly pointed in a new artistic direction of enlightenment and deep listening.”

Half a century later and the rich, compelling, ever-evolving sound they are known for, is still going strong. Together with the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is one of the two remaining original groups active in the world today that were nurtured in the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians). Alongside multi-faceted El’Zabar, the EHE’s current line-up includes Corey Wilkes on trumpet, who has worked with numerous jazz masters, including Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Elling; multi-instrumentalist Alex Harding on baritone sax, who has performed with Dollar Brand, Julius Hemphill Sun Ra, and "Fela The Musical."

These three sonic scientists whip up an electrifying mix of spiritual jazz with afro-inspired rhythms built around fundamental brass improvisations and a swing-induced groove. The resulting trance-like fervor, transports one into a mind opening journey of spiritually enlightened deep listening. Building on half a century of this iconic band’s work, for this anniversary project, Kahil intends to keep looking forward in terms of a contemporary approach to authenticity in concept, music, arrangements, and performance.

Corey Wilkes, Alex Harding, and special guests, James Sauders, and Ishmael Ali, are exemplary players, as well as being extraordinary improvisers! It is a new EHE sound with strings that combines the history of our music to a contemporary approach to arrangements, performance, and ensemble interplay, that speaks to the now and beyond.

Trumpeter Wilkes’ impact on the Chicago music scene is near boundless. Having grown up immersed in the sounds of blues, soul, jazz, funk and R&B, he took up the trumpet at the age of 10, and immediately flourished as a performer. For years he’s developed under Kahil El’Zabar’s wing in the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, and has played on stage and recorded with greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, James Moody, Kurt Elling, Greg Osby, Nicole Mitchell, Marcus Belgrave, Clark Terry, Evan Parker, IG Culture, Tortoise and Bonnie Prince Billy and Makaya McCraven.

Featured extensively by NPR, Downbeat & Jazz Times, The New York Times described Wilkes’s playing style as “smartly balanced bravado, power, and control” all while being one of the very few trumpeters able to practice circular breathing while playing – an impressive feat! Critics have hailed Alex Harding as “the new voice on baritone saxophone, the carrier of the great legacy of Harry Carney, Pepper Adams and Hamiet Bluiett.” Harding was voted ‘Best Baritone Saxophonist in the World’ by Downbeat Magazine in 2022.

General Admission tickets start at $35. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. This show is proudly presented by our good friends at Deep Groove Records in Brunswick. To purchase tickets and for more information about The Waldo, parking and other upcoming events, please visit: thewaldotheatre.org. Photo used with permission; taken by