New Bio English Version[2]

Ebo Shakoor Biography The American multi-instrumentalist (flute and percussion) and vocalist Ebo Shakoor has always worked on several projects at the same time. These include his own bands as well as concerts, tours and studio recordings with fellow musicians by the names of Dizzy Gillespie,Max Roach, Don Cherry and Gil Scott-Heron. With his latest group “Jazzicals”, he interprets Jazz classics by converting them into wonderful soul ballads. The fact that he is being compared to the legendary flutist Eric Dolphy quite often is not a coincidence. Ebo’s flute play is amazingly smooth, yet diverse and his improvisations are fascinating. Also as a percussionist, he stands out with all the experience he collected in the U.S., Jamaica and Europe, playing many different styles of music from Jazz to Latin and Funk. As if all this wasn’t enough, Ebo Shakoor is also an extraordinary vocalist. His deep, full and warm voice fits into any genre of “Black music”. On a regular basis, he tours with the famous Gospel group “The Jackson Singers”. With them as well as with his own projects, he acts as a featured front man, singer, flutist and percussionist. Also Ebo’s strong personality fascinates when he hits the stage. His gift of being a great show person too has been noticed immediately by all audiences he has played for. The Germany-based artist always has a message for his listeners. He tells stories singing and playing his instruments. Ebo Shakoor was born in Washington D.C. in 50´s when Be-Bop was fading out and Cool and Modern jazz was in, with a big influence of John Coltrane Mile Davis and Ornette Coleman at home until the 60´s. As a student of sociology, in 1972, Ebo intensified his flute playing. He practiced 4 hours a day in between university classes. Several Funk-bands hired him for concerts in the U.S. capital.

At the D.C.-Jazz club “Harold’s Roque & Jar” in the Dupont Circle area, he became a frequent guest, performing and listening to stars such as Shirley Horn, Marshall Hawkins (who later became the bass player for Miles Davis . In 1976, Ebo Shakoor left Washington D.C. for Nevada in order to pursue his musical studies. At the University Of Nevada in Las Vegas, he studied with Billy Byers, who is famous for the arrangements he did for Frank Sinatra and QuincyJones. Later, Ebo went on to California. He was seen and heard on stage at the famous “Keystone Corner” in San Francisco in 1977. He usually played with pianist George Cables Looking back, Ebo says, “I wanted to do something more challenging and individualistic after doing Ragtime.” He hung out with students in Berkley (California), getting back into percussion playing as well, while meeting many fellow musicians. Ebo Shakoor returned to Washington D.C. and got into the Free Jazz scene. With Teddy Smith (who used to be the bassist with Horace Silver) and other colleagues, he would soon tour the U.S. East Coast. Also Ebo played with Max Roach the 1st jazz Master to recognize Ebo´s talent Don Cherry invited him to play in his orchestre as well. During a longer stay in Jamaica, Ebo explored African influences of percussion more. “I was impressed by the Kunima and Nayibinge´the sounds of the slaves in JAMAICA . It definitely influenced me. The spirit of Africa could be felt much stronger in Jamaica than in the U.S.”. Back in Washington D.C. he finally met Dizzy Gillespie while performing at the “Blues Alley”. At the same time, Ebo Shakoor started thinking about exploring the European Jazz culture. He spoke to many fellow musicians who told him that Jazz and musical individuality was appreciated more overseas. So he arrived in Frankfurt in 1981, where he immediately started playing at famous clubs such as the “Jazzkeller”. From Germany, he went on to The Hague in order to check out the “North Sea Jazz Festival”. This is where Ebo met many old friends from the U.S., including Shirley Horn and Dizzy Gillespie.To perfrom withThe greatest Jazz legends in front of 5,000 people. After a breakfast with Sarah Vaughan and other legends, Ebo returned to Germany, where he was asked to join “El Duo Flamenco” for a European tour, which he did several times. Back in the U.S., Ebo played for the Premier of China, Zhu Rongii during a celebration with San Francisco’s mayor Dianne Feinstein at city hall.

Shortly after, he won The Gold Award for his soundtrack for the documentary the Hopi ´´People of Peace´´in 85 In 1989, Ebo . “This was a wake-up call for me”, Ebo says today. “It was time to get out of there and find my direction a little bit more”. Again, Ebo travelled to Europe. In Frankfurt, he played in Drum’N’Bass D.j.´s and Funk bands and Jazz combos. At the “Expo” in Sevilla (Spain), he played for the German pavilion. In 1992, Ebo Shakoor met the road manager for the Blues/Funk legend Gil ScottHeron. He was hired immediately. Several long tours throughout Europe followed. With Gil’s band, Ebo hit countless stages in Paris, London (Jazz Café), Oxford, Glasgow, Berne, Zurich, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich and many other cities. After those tours, Ebo started composing more. He had many ideas and recorded CDs with his different projects. Ebo says: “In 2002 I thought about different ways to write songs which would express all the experiences which I had in the past 20 years”. That’s how his brilliant project Jazzicals was born. “Culture Shock” a montage of sound that reflect the global influence of music in his life. From jazz to worldbeat to blues to hip-hop, Shakoor has such a talent to talk to the people in their musical language. “Spirits of the rainbow” is more the esoteric approach to sound and color that Ebo has been involve with for over 25 years. As a member of the Rosacrucian A.M.O.R.C. and the International Theosophical Society, he has collaborate with yoga meditation and others that share his view that Music has a healing power for our mind, body and soul. Workshops and concerts are available. “Ebo and the Drums of Africa” is power and grace that captivate the audience with songs and chats that calls out that primal state that dwell within us all. After the meeting and performing with Babatunji Olatunji, the Master from Nigeria who came to America in the 50’s influence the modern jazz greats like John Coltrane.

Ebo’s passion for percussion and featuring African musicians that share his love for the Drums of Africa. Multi-talent Ebo Shakoor and his breathtaking project “Jazzicals” can be booked now.