Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is a jazz group formed in Chicago, Illinois in the mid-1970s by legendary percussionist, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer Kehil El’Zabar (born Clifton Blackburn on November 11, 1953). Other notable members of the group include Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Joseph Bowie, Ernest Dawkins, Edward Wilkerson, Light Henry Huff, and Atu Harold Murray. Before forming the band, El’Zabar joined the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians in the early ‘70s. By 1975, he had become their chairman. He then formed the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble and another group by the name of Ritual Trio. Over the years, El’Zabar has become known as one of the leaders of spiritual and afro-futuristic jazz. The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has released a series of albums including Three Gentlemen from Chicago (1981), Welcome (1984), Hang Tuff (1991), 21st Century Union March (1997), Freedom Jazz Dance (1999), and Black Is Back (2014).
