Chicago’s legendary spiritual jazz shaman returns, leading an enviable ensemble of young masters from his hometown.
Kahil El’Zabar is multi-percussionist, band-leader, vocalist, composer, conductor and educator at the forefront of the unceasingly creative avant-garde jazz scene in Chicago. Considered one of the pioneers of spiritual groove and Afrocentric jazz, the musician has recorded and performed with heavyweights such as Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, David Murray, Billy Bang, Lester Bowie, Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder, to name a few.
Returning to his natural home on Spiritmuse Records, A Time for Healing answers the urgent questions posed by his latest America The Beautiful album, addressing the state of affairs today whilst calling for a better tomorrow. Here, the Chicago legend surrounds himself with the hottest young talent. Sonic scientist Isaiah Collier joins on saxophone, Corey Wilkes shines on trumpet and keyboard wizard Justin Dillard, who truly shone on his collaboration with El’Zabar on Spirit Groove, returns for another stellar performance.
The album explores the gamut of great Black music in America, tracing its lineage through all its Chicago movements, from the blues to R&B, soul, gospel, house music, spiritual jazz, and then back to all of its common African roots. This is captured brilliantly on the title track, already available where kalimba and spirit bowls evoke the ancestors, before the horns commence a yearning refrain, calling for guidance and healing.
A Time For Healing by Kahil El’Zabar, out on November 19 via Spiritmuse Records.
