Musicality of PoetryThe Poetry and Music of Kahil El Zabar Guild Complex

Internationally renowned percussionist and compose Kahil El? Zabar is considered one of the most prolific Jazz innovators of his generation. Tonight we have the opportunity to hear his poetry as well as his music. His first book of poetry and prose, Mis? Taken Brilliance, was published by Third World Press.


1/9/1997 - 1/9/1997


Internationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El? Zabar is considered one of the most prolific Jazz innovators of his generation.

Tonight we have the opportunity to hear his poetry as well as his music. His first book of poetry and prose, Mis?Taken Brilliance, was published by Third World Press. In addition to reciting from his first book Kahil will read from his new manuscript. Kahil El? Zabar?s poetry has been deeply informed by his music. His formal music training is highlighted with studies in Ghana, West Africa; the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Music) School of Music; and the Sun Drummer Institute. He is a master of a variety of instruments, from the elementary-congas, bongos, and shekere- to the esoteric balaphon kalimba, and berimbau to mention a few. He has perfomed and recorded world wide with such luminaries as Dizzy Gilespie, Stevie Wonder, and David Murray. The Kahil El? Zabar Quartet features a group of extraordinary musicians: saxophonist Fred Anderson, pianist Jodie Christian, and bassist James Willis The music of the Quartet fuses traditional African rhythmic and melodic sensibilities with popular African American musical expression.

Director
Quraysh Ali Lansana

Performers
Kahil El? Zabar

Tags: Literary, Music, American, 1997