Sir Kahil El’Zabar, was Knighted by the Council General of France for his Global contributions to the Arts. He hasperformed with luminaries like, Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley, Pharoah Sanders, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder,Archie Shepp, Eddie Harris, Donny Hathaway, Paul Simon, Ntozake Shange, Nona Hendryx, Neneh Cherry, Lester Bowie,Hamiet Bluiett, Malachi Favors, Billy Bang, Gene Ammons, to name a few. Dr. El’Zabar, holds a PHD from Lake ForestCollege in Interdisciplinary Arts. He taught music and interdisciplinary arts at the U. Nebraska/Lincoln, and U.IL/Chicago. He was Appointed by Pres. Bill Clinton to the National Task Force for Arts Presenting in Education. He wonthe International Ambassador Award from Pres. Barak Obama’s Administration. Kahil El’zabar has served on theprestigious boards of the Lila Wallace Reader’s Digest Fund, The National Endowment of the Arts, and the NationalCampaign for the Freedom of Expression. He is also the former chairmen of the Association for the Advancement ofCreative Musicians (AACM). El’Zabar, Has recorded over 100 acclaimed projects, and founded and leads the legendaryEthnic Heritage Ensemble and Ritual Trio.

David Murray is considered to be the most influential tenor saxophonist of his generation. He has recorded more than300 acclaimed projects. He has worked with many of the giants, such as Max Roach, Charles Mingus, Cecil Taylor, JackDeJohnette, Chico Hamilton, Elvin Jones, Archie Shepp, Pharoah Sanders, Randy Weston, the list goes on. He is co-founder of the World Saxophone Quartet, and leads the famed David Murray Quartet, David Murray Octet, and the DavidMurray Big Band. Dr. Murray was awarded a PHD in the Arts from Claremont College, and is also a Guggenheim Fellowand a Fulbright Scholar. Mr. Murray has won 2 Grammys and is the recipient of the Jazz Par Award from thecountry of Denmark.