Shabaka Hutchings and Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble play the Chan Centre, February 21

Saxophonist-flutist Shabaka is leading the British jazz renaissance, while El’Zabar and ensemble are commemorating a 50-year milestone

SPONSORED POST BY Chan Centre for the Performing Arts

Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble.

The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC brings together two jazz icons, Shabaka Hutchings and Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, on February 21 at 7 pm as part of the Chan Centre EXP series.

The leader of groundbreaking bands Sons of Kemet, The Comet is Coming, and Shabaka and the Ancestors, Shabaka is at the helm of the British jazz renaissance. Embarking on a solo career, the artist is dropping his last name and saxophone, and picking up the shakuhachi, a Japanese flute. His new album is set to be released this year.

The other half of the concert features revered percussionist and composer El’Zabar and his Ethnic Heritage Ensemble as part of their 50th-anniversary tour. The ensemble has released over a dozen albums, including 2023’s Spirit Gatherer: Tribute to Don Cherry. El’Zabar’s sound combines African American music with its earlier roots in traditional African music.

Tickets and details are at the Chan Centre.

Post sponsored by Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.

Shabaka Hutchings. Photo by Udoma Janssen