BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Blue LLama - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH 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:20260125T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260125T220000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251205T185402Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260112T184950Z UID:10000175-1769362200-1769378400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Hamilton de Holanda 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/hamilton-de-holanda/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/hamilton-de-holanda.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260128T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260128T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251128T221137Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T163456Z UID:10000189-1769626800-1769635800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Elvin Sharp 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/elvin-sharp-quartet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/elvin-sharp.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260129T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260129T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251120T215546Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T185142Z UID:10000183-1769713200-1769722200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Aya Sekine 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/aya-sekine-trio/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Aya-Sekine-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260130T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260130T183000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251124T212552Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T163624Z UID:10000184-1769788800-1769797800@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-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/kerrytown-stompers.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260130T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260130T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251120T215720Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T163716Z UID:10000185-1769799600-1769808600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Dwight Adams 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/dwight-adams-quartet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/dwight-adams.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260131T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260131T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251120T215809Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T163825Z UID:10000169-1769886000-1769895000@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-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/RussMacklemCOLOR-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260201T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260201T203000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251215T184620Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T163939Z UID:10000212-1769968800-1769977800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Sandra Bomar 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/sandra-bomar/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SandraBomarBNW.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260204T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260204T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20260105T183803Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260126T154429Z UID:10000233-1770231600-1770240600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Jauron Perry 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/jauron-perry-quartet-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-25-at-11.32.24 AM.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260205T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260205T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251215T185131Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260126T154732Z UID:10000213-1770318000-1770327000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Ron Brooks 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/ron-brooks-quintet-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/RonBrooksBNW.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T180000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251215T185507Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T165448Z UID:10000193-1770393600-1770400800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:WEMU 5:01 Jazz Series: organissimo 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/wemu-501-jazz-series-organissimo/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/organissmo.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251215T185842Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T165600Z UID:10000214-1770404400-1770413400@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-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/space-odyssey.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260207T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260207T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251215T185951Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260126T155944Z UID:10000170-1770490800-1770499800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Olivia Van Goor 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/olivia-van-goor-quartet-3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/OliviaVanoorBNW2.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260208T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260208T203000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251215T190639Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T165949Z UID:10000215-1770573600-1770582600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:An Evening with Bob Mervak 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/bob-mervak-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bob-mervak.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260211T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260211T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20260107T155545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T154223Z UID:10000235-1770836400-1770845400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Great Lakes Brass 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/great-lakes-brass/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/great-lakes-brass.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251216T153121Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T154626Z UID:10000219-1770922800-1770931800@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-3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/aguanko.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20260114T212019Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T213432Z UID:10000194-1771009200-1771018200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:La Tanya Hall 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/la-tanya-hall-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/la-tanya-hall.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260214T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260214T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20260114T212056Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T152707Z UID:10000171-1771095600-1771104600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Isis Damil 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/isis-damil/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/isis-damil.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260215T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260215T203000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251217T151119Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T160120Z UID:10000220-1771178400-1771187400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Chris Glassman 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/chris-glassman/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Chris-Glassman-the-Technocats.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251215T191130Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T160938Z UID:10000216-1771441200-1771450200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Nate Topo 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/nate-topo-quintet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/NateTopoBNW.png.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260219T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260219T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251215T191417Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T161402Z UID:10000217-1771527600-1771536600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Ken Kozora 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/ken-kozora-quartet-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ken-kozora-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T183000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251215T191734Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T171100Z UID:10000196-1771603200-1771612200@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-3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/kerrytown-stompers.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251215T191936Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T162151Z UID:10000172-1771614000-1771623000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Nate Winn Group 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/nate-winn-group/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/nate-winn.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260221T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260221T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251215T192055Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T162636Z UID:10000173-1771700400-1771709400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Sean Dobbins All Star 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/sean-dobbins-3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SeanDobbinsBNW.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260222T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260222T203000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20260107T161929Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T163523Z UID:10000236-1771783200-1771792200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Jordan Anderson 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/jordan-anderson-trio/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/jordan-anderson.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260225T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260225T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20260105T185307Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T162058Z UID:10000234-1772046000-1772055000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Ramona Collins 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/ramona-collins-quartet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ramona-collins.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251215T192530Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T162719Z UID:10000218-1772132400-1772141400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Houston Patton & Hidden Nomination 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/houston-patton-hidden-nomination-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/houston-patton.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260227T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260227T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20260119T171905Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T163315Z UID:10000197-1772218800-1772227800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage 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/kahil-el-zabar/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/kahil-el-zabar.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260228T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260228T220000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251215T192817Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T163744Z UID:10000198-1772305200-1772316000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Chico Pinheiro + Kzoo 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/chico-pinheiro-kzoo-jazz-project/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/chico-pinheiro.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260301T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260301T203000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20260107T172132Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T164203Z UID:10000221-1772388000-1772397000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Jazz & Poetry with One Single Rose 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/jazz-poetry-with-one-single-rose/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/One-Single-Rose.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260304T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260304T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T184233 CREATED:20251217T175405Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T162221Z UID:10000222-1772650800-1772659800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Alex Anest 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/alex-anest-trio/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alex-anest.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR