Kahil El'Zabar

Kahil El'Zabar (born Clifton Blackburn; November 11, 1953) is an American jazz multi-instrumentalist (mainly a percussionist) and composer. He regularly records for Delmark Records.

Life and work El'Zabar was born Clifton Blackburn in Chicago, Illinois. His father was a police officer and amateur drummer, who bought his four-year-old son a drum set. At 16, El'Zabar began playing professionally with saxophnist Gene Ammons, who also lived in the Chatham neighborhood. He was also captain of his high school basketball team. During the 1970s, he formed the musical groups Ritual Trio and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, both of which remain active. Musicians with whom Kahil EL'Zabar has collaborated include Cannonball Adderley, Billy Bang, Dizzy Gillespie, David Murray (who he first met on a Chicago basketball court

Discography (partial) As leader/co-leader Golden Sea (Sound Aspects, 1989) - with David Murray Return of the Lost Tribe (Delmark, 1998) as Bright Moments with Joseph Jarman, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Malachi Favors and Adegoke Steve Colson One World Family (CIMP, 2000) - with David Murray Spirits Entering (Delmark, 2001) - with Billy Bang Love Outside of Dreams (Delmark, 2002) - with David Murray, Fred Hopkins We Is (Delmark, 2004) - with David Murray Transmigration (Delmark, 2007) What It Is! (Delmark, 2013) Kahil El'Zabar's Spirit Groove (Spiritmuse, 2020) - with David Murray (whom he first met playing basketball in Chicago

With Ritual Trio The Ritual (Sound Aspects, 1985) Sacred Love (Sound Aspects, 1985) - with Another Kind of Groove (Sound Aspects, 1986) - with Billy Bang Alika Rising (Sound Aspects, 1990) Renaissance of the Resistance (Delmark, 1994) Big Cliff (Delmark, 1995) - with Billy Bang Jitterbug Junction (CIMP, 1997) with Ari Brown, Malachi Favors Conversations (Delmark, 1999) - with Archie Shepp, Ari Brown, Malachi Favors Africa N'Da Blues (Delmark, 2000) - with Archie Shepp, Ari Brown, Malachi Favors, Pharoah Sanders Live at the River East Art Center (Delmark, 2005) - with Billy Bang Big M: A Tribute to Malachi Favors (Delmark, 2006) - with Billy Bang Ooh Live (Bright Moments, 2008) - with Pharoah Sanders The Ancestors Are Amongst Us (Katalyst, 2010) - with Lester Bowie Follow the Sun (Delmark, 2013)

With Tri-Factor The Power (CIMP, 2000) - with Hamiet Bluiett, Billy Bang If You Believe (8th Harmonic Breakdown, 2002)

With Kahil El'Zabar Quartet A Time For Healing (Spiritmuse, 2022)

As sideman With David Murray A Sanctuary Within (Black Saint, 1991) The Tip (DIW, 1994) Jug-A-Lug (DIW, 1994) With Wadada Leo Smith Procession of the Great Ancestry (Nessa, 1989)