A true Renaissance Man with a style that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world, internationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar formed the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble after graduating from the school of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians in 1976. El'Zabar grew up in a South Side Chicago neighborhood, where he heard music in the streets everyday — doo-wop, R&B, gospel, blues and jazz. In 1973, he attended the University of Ghana and studied African music firsthand.

With a mastery of a wide variety of instruments, music holds no boundaries for El'Zabar. He has not only played alongside jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly, but was in the bands of Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone and Paul Simon.

The concert also features Hamiet Bluiett (New York City), baritone saxophone and clarinet; and Ernest Khabeer Dawkins (Chicago), saxophone. Co-presented by Art League Houston and MECA.