BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Blue LLama - ECPv6.17.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Blue LLama X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://bluellamaclub.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Blue LLama REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Detroit BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260517T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260517T203000 DTSTAMP:20260501T153451Z CREATED:20260219T155020Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260501T153451Z UID:10000257-1779040800-1779049800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Marlena Studer's Jazz Ensemble DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/marlena-studer/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Marlena-Studer-BNW2.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260516T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260516T213000 DTSTAMP:20260401T204446Z CREATED:20260219T154838Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T204446Z UID:10000244-1778958000-1778967000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Jeff Haas Quintet DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/jeff-haas-quintet-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/jeff-haas-quintet-.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260515T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260515T220000 DTSTAMP:20260420T134537Z CREATED:20260219T182407Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260420T134537Z UID:10000256-1778871600-1778882400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Detroit Jazz Fest All-Stars: Beyond Take Five DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/djf-all-stars-beyond-take-five/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/dave-brubeck.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260515T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260515T183000 DTSTAMP:20260325T184900Z CREATED:20260325T184900Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T184900Z UID:10000303-1778860800-1778869800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Swing Happy Hour: Kerrytown Stompers DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/swing-happy-hour-kerrytown-stompers-5/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/kerrytown-stompers.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260514T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260514T213000 DTSTAMP:20260219T154027Z CREATED:20260219T154027Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T154027Z UID:10000267-1778785200-1778794200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Signal Quartet DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/signal-quartet-copy/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/signal-quartet.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260513T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260513T220000 DTSTAMP:20260429T165426Z CREATED:20260219T153926Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T165426Z UID:10000255-1778698800-1778709600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Randy Napoleon Waking Dream DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/randy-napoleon-octet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/randy-napoleon.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260510T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260510T173000 DTSTAMP:20260430T144222Z CREATED:20260309T173335Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T144222Z UID:10000273-1778425200-1778434200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Lucía DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/lucia/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lucia.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260510T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260510T130000 DTSTAMP:20260324T135314Z CREATED:20260309T172733Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T135314Z UID:10000272-1778410800-1778418000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Mother's Day Piano Jazz & Brunch: Nick Masters DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/mothers-day-piano-jazz-brunch-nick-masters/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/nick-masters-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260509T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260509T213000 DTSTAMP:20260430T144310Z CREATED:20260223T182723Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T144310Z UID:10000243-1778353200-1778362200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Artemis DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/artemis/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/artemis.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260508T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260508T213000 DTSTAMP:20260304T214341Z CREATED:20260304T214341Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T214341Z UID:10000289-1778266800-1778275800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Russ Macklem Detroit Quintet DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/russ-macklem-detroit-quintet-3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/RussMacklemCOLOR-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260507T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260507T213000 DTSTAMP:20260223T180349Z CREATED:20260223T180349Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T180349Z UID:10000277-1778180400-1778189400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Blou Reed DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/blou-reed/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/blou-reed.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260506T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260506T213000 DTSTAMP:20260430T144122Z CREATED:20260316T144154Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T144122Z UID:10000285-1778094000-1778103000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Gabrielle Cavassa DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/gabrielle-cavassa/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gabrielle-cavassa.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260503T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260503T203000 DTSTAMP:20260303T160738Z CREATED:20260303T160738Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T160738Z UID:10000278-1777831200-1777840200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Leslie Vincent DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/leslie-vincent/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/leslie-vincent.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260502T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260502T213000 DTSTAMP:20260430T153850Z CREATED:20260217T161432Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T153850Z UID:10000266-1777748400-1777757400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Tariq Gardner & Evening Star DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/tariq-gardner-evening-star-3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/space-odyssey.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260501T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260501T213000 DTSTAMP:20260219T150803Z CREATED:20260219T150803Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T150803Z UID:10000242-1777662000-1777671000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Noah Jackson DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/noah-jackson/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/noah-jackson.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260501T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260501T180000 DTSTAMP:20260225T171933Z CREATED:20260219T150635Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T171933Z UID:10000241-1777654800-1777658400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:WEMU 5:01 Jazz Series: Olivia Van Goor DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/501-olivia-van-goor/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/OliviaVanoorBNW2.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260430T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260430T213000 DTSTAMP:20260225T172146Z CREATED:20260129T154517Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T172146Z UID:10000240-1777575600-1777584600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Rick Roe Trio DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/rick-roe-trio-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/rick-roe.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260429T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260429T213000 DTSTAMP:20260129T154431Z CREATED:20260109T164400Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T154431Z UID:10000246-1777489200-1777498200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Detroit Jazz Project DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/detroit-jazz-project/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/detroit-jazz-project.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260426T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260426T210000 DTSTAMP:20260404T164311Z CREATED:20260129T154348Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260404T164311Z UID:10000254-1777226400-1777237200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Straight Ahead DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/straight-ahead-8/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/straight-ahead.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260424T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260424T220000 DTSTAMP:20260203T182413Z CREATED:20260129T154215Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T182413Z UID:10000252-1777057200-1777068000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Kris Johnson DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/kris-johnson/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/kris-johnson.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260423T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260423T220000 DTSTAMP:20260203T182133Z CREATED:20260129T154111Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T182133Z UID:10000251-1776970800-1776981600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Sean Dobbins: Tribute to Stevie Wonder DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/sean-dobbins-5/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SeanDobbinsBNW.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T213000 DTSTAMP:20260130T145514Z CREATED:20260130T145514Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260130T145514Z UID:10000258-1776884400-1776893400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Aguankó DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/aguanko-4/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/aguanko.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260419T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260419T203000 DTSTAMP:20260225T172221Z CREATED:20260129T154021Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T172221Z UID:10000239-1776621600-1776630600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Sarah D'Angelo & Cliff Monear DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/sarah-dangelo-cliff-monear-3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/CliffMonearCliffMonear.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260418T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260418T213000 DTSTAMP:20260408T163032Z CREATED:20260217T195901Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T163032Z UID:10000238-1776538800-1776547800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Walter Smith III Trio DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/walter-smith-trio/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/walter-smith.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260417T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260417T213000 DTSTAMP:20260303T164426Z CREATED:20260129T153930Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T164426Z UID:10000232-1776452400-1776461400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Tiffany Gridiron Quintet DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/tiffany-gridiron-quintet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/TiffanyGridironBNW.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T220000 DTSTAMP:20260413T151415Z CREATED:20260209T173902Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T151415Z UID:10000261-1776366000-1776376800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:El Khat DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/el-khat/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/El-Khat-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T190000 DTSTAMP:20260216T181013Z CREATED:20260216T181013Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T181013Z UID:10000265-1776360600-1776366000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Max Bowen DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/max-bowen/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/MaxBowenBNW.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260415T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260415T213000 DTSTAMP:20260211T153247Z CREATED:20260211T153247Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T153247Z UID:10000264-1776279600-1776288600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Jonathan Barahal Taylor Quartet DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/jonathan-barahal-taylor-quartet-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/jonathon-barahal.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260412T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260412T203000 DTSTAMP:20260223T172733Z CREATED:20260223T172733Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T172733Z UID:10000275-1776016800-1776025800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Howard Alden Trio DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/howard-alden/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Howard-Alden.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260411T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260411T213000 DTSTAMP:20260225T172339Z CREATED:20260129T153803Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T172339Z UID:10000231-1775934000-1775943000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Demetrius Nabors DESCRIPTION:Fri | Feb 27 \n\n \n \n Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Doors 5:30pm Show 7pm\nDoors 8:30pm Show 9pm\n$95 Dinner & Show\n$50 Cover Only \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n LET THE SPIRIT OUT-Annual Black History Tour \nInternationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El'Zabar is a true "Renaissance Man\," with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words\, "The spirit of one's approach comes first before the technical. All the facility in the world with nothing that comes from the heart doesn't make good music. The basis of the strength of any artistic evolution has come from ethnicity." \nEven though he is fully grounded in the history and music of his African American community\, he has taken his studies deeper\, ingeniously incorporating African music and instrumentation\, producing a unique and wonderfully engaging sound. He credits his community with providing some direction towards African sensibility. "I grew up in a period when African Americans\, as a large body\, finally started addressing our roots. With African drums there was such an appeal in the way of playing with the hands and the sense of the entire body being involved in the playing of the instrument."  El'Zabar is an accomplished musician with mastery of a variety of instruments\, from the elementary - congas\, bongos\, African drums\, shekere\, gongs\, and trap drums - to the esoteric - balaphon\, marimba\, sanza\, kalimba and berimbau. \nMusic holds no boundaries for El'Zabar\, who has not only played alongside a myriad of jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly\, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder\, Nina Simone (who he also designed clothes for) and Paul Simon\, as well as recording with rock bands like Sonia Dada and Poi Dog Pondering and heading up the jazz/house outfit\, JUBA Collective. \nKahil El'Zabar was born in Chicago\, on November 11\, 1953. One of three children growing up in a South Side neighborhood where he heard music in the streets everyday - doo-wop\, r&b\, gospel\, blues and jazz. After attending Catholic schools in Chicago\, El'Zabar went to Kennedy-King College and later to Malcolm X and Lake Forest colleges. In 1973 while attending Lake Forest college\, El'Zabar was given the opportunity to study mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris\, but instead opted to use the money to attend the University of Ghana and study African music firsthand. \nAt the age of eighteen\, he joined Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians\, and by 1975 he was chairman of the organization. During the early 1970s\, El'Zabar formed his own musical group\, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble\, and later another group\, the Ritual Trio\, with both of which he still performs. His talents have also extended to the cinematic arena\, scoring and appearing in  three feature films - "Love Jones" (New Line)\, "Mo' Money" (Columbia Pictures) and "How U Like Me Now" (Universal Pictures)\, costarring in the feature film "Savannah"\, and starring in two independent films - "So Low But Not Alone\," and "The Last Set." El'Zabar was chosen to do the arranging for the stage performances of The Lion King\, he has published a book of poetry\, Mis'taken Brilliance and he tailors clothing both for his band and for others. From 1996 to 1999\, El'Zabar organized Traffic at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre\, an inter-arts program featuring music and poetry.  In 1991\, El'Zabar was commissioned by Germany's Leverkusen Jazz Festival to present a 20 year retrospective of his work\, which showcased Orchestra Infinity - a 25-piece big band formed several years ago. \nEl'Zabar has served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been on the boards of several organizations\, including serving as the chairman of The Sun Drummer\, an African American drum society\, the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, the National Task Force of Arts Presenting in Education\, Campaign for Freedom of Expression\, Forum for the Evolution of Progressive Arts\, Chicago Blues Museum and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. He has also served as a panelist for the NEA's Commissioning and Interdisciplinary Programs. His efforts as a musician\, educator\, and community leader led to his being named "Chicagoan of the year" in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. \nEl'Zabar lives in Chicago. He has six children. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/demetrius-nabors-1/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DemetriusNaborsBW1.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR