In our second episode about the avant-garde music scene in Chicago, we turn to two legends-Anthony Braxton and Kahil El'Zabar.

Hosts Douglas Cowie and Kara Rusch discuss the concept of Braxton's music trying to achieve "the greatest thought you can think" and El'Zabar's unique approach to percussion and performance as seen in his band The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble.

This episode features the full track of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble's 1998 performance of "Papa's Bounce" with kind permission from CIMP.

Here is more information about the albums and books mentioned in this episode.

Forces in Motion: The Music and Thoughts of Anthony Braxton (1989) by Graham Lock.

Anthony Braxton, Dortmund (Quartet, 1976)

Anthony Braxton, 7 Standards, volumes I and II (1985)

Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Hang Tuff (1991)

Kahil El'Zabar, America the Beautiful (2020)

Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio – Alika Rising! (2015)