The David Murray/Kahil El'Zabar Duo

Murray and El’Zabar are recognized by their peers to be consummate virtuosos who possess ingenious interpretations within the history and future of Great Black Music.

They share the hope and desire that comes from blowing fire in an acquired wisdom. This is freedom music in its noblest sense, meant to heal and release one from the regurgitated mediocrity currently flooding our airways. These two wise men know firsthand what’s genuine and real, they have both played and recorded with the legends.

Sir Kahil El’zabar is revered globally as a cultural visionary and an innovative music conceptualist. He has recorded more than 60 acclaimed projects as the leader, composer and arranger. El’Zabar, who holds a PhD in Interdisciplinary Arts from Lake Forest College, has worked with such luminaries as Dizzy Gillespie, Pharoah Sanders, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Cannonball Adderley, Archie Shepp, Paul Simon, Lester Bowie, Nona Hendryx, Kurt Elling, Billy Bang, Eddie Harris, Neneh Cherry, Henry Threadgill, Roy Ayers and David Murray.  In May 2014, he was knighted by the Council General of France, making him a Chevalier Medal De Lettres.

David Murray is one of the most recorded musicians as a leader in the history of jazz, with well over 200 celebrated projects. Murray was one of the founding members of the World Saxophone Quartet and has worked with Elvin Jones, Jack DeJohnette, McCoy Tyner, Lester Bowie, Hamiet Bluiett, Jerry Garcia, Max Roach, Amiri Baraka, Randy Weston and Fred Hopkins. He is currently working with Macy Gray as part of his David Murray Big Band. In 2012, he received an Honorary Doctorate Of Music degree from Pomona College, Claremont, California. He has won numerous awards over his vast career, garnering a Grammy Award for the Best Jazz Instrumental Group Performance for his Tribute to John Coltrane, and a Guggenheim Fellowship.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Doors open one half hour before show time. We accept cash only at the door (ATMs are nearby). Children under 12 are free.

The Back Room is an all-ages, BYOB (for those 21+) space, dedicated to (mostly) acoustic music of all kinds. You are welcome to bring your own adult beverage with no additional corkage fee. If you need more information or have any questions, please call us: #510-654-3808. Thank you for your support!