The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) is a nonprofit organization,founded in 1965 in Chicago by pianist Muhal Richard Abrams,pianist Jodie Christian,drummer Steve McCall,and composer Phil Cohran. The AACM is devoted "to nurturing,performing,and recording serious,original music," according to its charter. It supports and encourages jazz performers,composers and educators. Although founded in the jazz tradition,the group's outreach and influence has,according to Larry Blumenfeld,"touched nearly all corners of modern music."
Roscoe Mitchell is an American composer,jazz instrumentalist,and educator,known for being "a technically superb –if idiosyncratic –saxophonist". The Penguin Guide to Jazz described him as "one of the key figures" in avant-garde jazz;All About Jazz stated in 2004 that he had been "at the forefront of modern music" for more than 35 years. Critic Jon Pareles in The New York Times has mentioned that Mitchell "qualifies as an iconoclast". In addition to his own work as a bandleader,Mitchell is known for cofounding the Art Ensemble of Chicago and the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM).
Lester Bowie was an American jazz trumpet player and composer. He was a member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and co-founded the Art Ensemble of Chicago.
Joseph Jarman was an American jazz musician,composer,poet,and Shinshu Buddhist priest. He was one of the first members of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and a member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago.
Fred Hopkins was an American double bassist who played a major role in the development of the avant-garde jazz movement. He was best known for his association with the trio Air with Henry Threadgill and Steve McCall,and for his numerous performances and extensive recordings with major jazz musicians such as Muhal Richard Abrams,Arthur Blythe,Oliver Lake,and David Murray. He was a member of the AACM,and a frequent participant in the loft jazz scene of the 1970s. He also co-led a number of albums with the composer and cellist Diedre Murray. Gary Giddins wrote that Hopkins' playing "fused audacious power with mercuric reflexes." Howard Reich,writing in the Chicago Tribune,stated that "many connoisseurs considered [Hopkins] the most accomplished jazz bassist of his generation" and praised him for "the extraordinarily fluid technique,sumptuous tone and innovative methods he brought to his instrument."
Malachi Richard Thompson,was an American avant-garde jazz trumpet player. In addition to his own work as a bandleader,Thompson was known for his work in the brass ensemble led by fellow trumpeter Lester Bowie.
Malachi Favors was an American jazz bassist who played with the Art Ensemble of Chicago.
Kahil El'Zabar is an American jazz multi-instrumentalist and composer. He regularly records for Delmark Records.
Thurman Barker is an American jazz drummer.
Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre was an American free jazz tenor saxophonist.
Ari Brown is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and pianist.
Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is an American jazz ensemble founded in 1973 by percussionist Kahil El'Zabar. Its members have included Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre,Defunkt's Joseph Bowie,post-bop musician Ernest Dawkins,Light Henry Huff,8 Bold Souls' Edward Wilkerson,Hanah Jon Taylor,and 'Atu' Harold Murray.
Renaissance of the Resistance is an album by American jazz percussionist Kahil El'Zabar and his Ritual Trio,which also includes saxophonist Ari Brown and bassist Malachi Favors. It was recorded in 1993 and released on Delmark.
The Continuum is an album by Ethnic Heritage Ensemble,a jazz band formed by percussionist Kahil El'Zabar,who is joined by trombonist Joseph Bowie and two new members:saxophonist Ernest Dawkins,who replaces Ed Wilkerson,and percussionist 'Atu' Harold Murray. It was recorded in 1997 and released on Delmark.
Conversations is an album by saxophonist Archie Shepp with Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio,which also includes Ari Brown and Malachi Favors,which was recorded in 1999 and released on the Delmark label.
Africa N'Da Blues is an album by Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio featuring saxophonist Pharoah Sanders that was recorded in 1999 and released on the Delmark label.
Live at the River East Art Center is a live album by Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio,with special guest violinist Billy Bang,that was recorded in Chicago in 2004 and released on the Delmark label.
Big M:A Tribute to Malachi Favors is an album by Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio,featuring violinist Billy Bang,that was recorded in Chicago in late 2004 and released on the Delmark label.
Humility in the Light of the Creator is the debut album by the American jazz saxophonist Maurice McIntyre recorded in 1969 and released by the Delmark label.
Birth Sign is the debut album by the American jazz guitarist George Freeman recorded in 1969 and released by the Delmark label.
