With an astonishing 50 albums to their credit during their 40 year career, the avant garde jazz combo Art Ensemble of Chicago have had a remarkable run. What started out as an experimental project using visual as well as aural effects became a remarkably enduring and popular live attraction. The group became renowned for wearing face paint and incorporating almost any instrument they could find into their performances, consequently it wasn't unusual to see bells, kazoos, chimes, bicycle horns and other noisemakers being played alongside trumpets, saxophones and drums.
The band were initially formed around trumpeter Lester Bowie and bass player Malachi Favors both of whom have now sadly passed away. After the deaths of the founding members the band continued for a period as a trio but are now back up to full strength as a sextet. Art Ensemble of Chicago's motto is 'Great black music: Ancient to the future', its wide ranging mission statement which gives the band adequate scope to express themselves through a variety of styles and influences. It's a philosophy they've stayed true to ever since their inception.
