KAHIL EL'ZABAR

Welcome to an authentic journey, where we are invited to immerse ourselves in what this spiritual collective of musicians offers us, robustly reinforced by the name they pay homage to: Don Cherry, a highly esteemed figure in free jazz or what some may call "spiritual jazz."

Led by Kahil El'Zabar, a multi-percussionist who holds profound admiration for Cherry's legacy and ideologies, this collective comprises musicians who share a connection to Cherry, either through shared ideology or by having had the privilege of playing alongside him.

Understanding El'Zabar's interpretation of Cherry is essential to fully embracing this project. According to El'Zabar, Cherry is the essential and iconic urban shaman, a "griot" whose messages have a direct impact in today's turbulent times.

Inspired by this belief, El'Zabar, an unmistakable figure in the realm of spiritual jazz, guides the group's musical direction with a subtle yet captivating touch. He skillfully blends an array of percussion instruments, ranging from the kalimba to drums, and incorporates unique sounds extracted from small percussive instruments, likely adapted by his own craftsmanship.

Corey Wilkes on trumpet and Alex Harding on baritone saxophone shape the group's sound, taking turns in pursuing their musical objectives. However, in order to pay proper tribute to Cherry, there was still room left unfilled. Thus, two distinguished guests join the ensemble: Dwight Trible and David Ornette Cherry. David, Don Cherry's eldest son, and a multi-instrumentalist, represents the musical presence of his father, having played alongside Don since the tender age of 16. Vocalist Dwight Trible possesses a rare and mesmerizing voice that adds a distinct richness to the ensemble's creations, much like a thick varnish that enhances the depth of their collective artistry.

This is spiritual jazz at its finest, intended for deep and attentive listening, with extraordinary performances from this group of masters who are wholeheartedly dedicated to honoring one of the most outstanding figures in jazz.

An inevitable reference to Coltrane's theme, with whom Cherry played several times, is evoked here through a musical prayer to "A Love Supreme," which we believe is also part of the repertoire journey at our Sal - KJF 23.