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Content from KIOS staff relating to jazz, blues, and all kinds of music.

Last Call CD of the Month: Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio / Follow The Sun / Delmark

Legendary Chicago Drummer & Bandleader Kahil El'Zabar continues to add fine recordings to an already impressive discography of discs firmly in the jazz avant-garde but rooted in straight-ahead jazz. Zabar's latest effort with his longstanding Ritual Trio band, Follow The Sun, continues in that direction. 

For this release, Los Angeles based vocalist Dwight Trible adds his inspired, improvisational artistry to the mix, which takes the music to a whole new level. The title track features Trible at his dynamic best, he is also featured on a mesmerizing reading of Wayne Shorter's "Footprints" as well as a live performance of "Up Your Mind". Noted Chicago saxophonist Ari Brown is also onboard on this date(he also plays piano) as is saxophonist Duke Payne, whose bagpipes add an unexpected color to the date. Junius Paul is the bassist and leader Kahil El'Zabar keeps things moving on drums and percussion.

A native of Chicago, Kahil El'Zabar has been active since the early 1970s on the city’s avant-garde jazz scene. Joining the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) in the early 1970s, he became its chairman in 1975. Kahil El’Zabar is noted for his brilliant percussion artistry as well as being a composer and bandleader. He formed his musical groups Ritual Trio and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble,in the 1970s. The bandleader has recorded many very fine dates with these bands, some of which have been featured on Last Call over the years. Notable collaborations include recordings with reedmen Pharaoh Sanders and David Murray. The current recording is El’Zabar’s 60th date!  

For more information you may visit http://www.kahilelzabar.net/

Chris Cooke has been a voice on public radio in Omaha since 1989. Working at KVNO-FM during college, Cooke hosted a weekend progressive jazz show on the station in addition to working as an on-air announcer. In November 1992, Cooke signed on at KIOS-FM and has been there ever since. He has hosted the Tuesday and Thursday editions of Jazz in the Afternoon since 1996 and has hosted Last Call since that year. A long time fan of jazz music, Cooke enjoys talking with the musicians who make jazz music and presenting those conversations with listeners. When not hosting or listening to jazz, on record or in person, Cooke maintains a busy schedule as a self-employed web design consultant.