The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble with Kahil El’Zabar (pictured) will play two performances this week, the first on Wednesday (Feb. 6) at Hallwalls at 8pm and the second on Thursday (Feb. 7) at the Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts at 7pm. El Z’habar founded the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble in Chicago 35 years ago, combing new and roots African music (West African Griot music) with jazz, to create something altogether new. In addition to composer, percussionist and vocalist El’Zabar, the current Ensemble consists of Corey Wilkes (trumpet) and Chicago legend Ernest Khabeer Dawkins (saxophone). The three of them are spending four days in Buffalo working with music students at Performing Arts, who will join them on stage for Thursday’s concert. This visit is both in honor of Black History Month and the Ensemble’s 35th Anniversary.