Shabaka & the Ancestors

Born in London, England in 1984, Shabaka Hutchings is a saxophonist, clarinetist, and band leader. He is best-known for his work with jazz rock ensemble the Comet Is Coming and leading his own bands Sons of Kemet and Shabaka and the Ancestors. He moved with his family to their homeland of Barbados when he was six and began practicing the clarinet three years later. He became obsessed with reggae and hi-hop and started playing saxophone along with his favorite recordings Moving back to England at the age of 16, he earned a classical music degree before becoming involved in the Tomorrow’s Warriors program and becoming a force on the South East London jazz scene. He first came to prominence as a member of Melt Yourself Down, a band he formed with fellow saxophonist Pete Wareham. He then founded his own band, Sons of Kemet, who released Burn, their debut album, in 2013. After another Sons of Kemet album – 2015’s Lest We Forget What We Came Here to Do – he founded Shabaka and the Ancestors, a group that was formed to give Shabaka Hutchings a chance to connect to the rich musical heritage of Africa. In 2015, during one of his many travels to Johannesburg, South Africa, he gathered together seven talented local musicians – whom he dubbed the Ancestors – and recorded the group’s debut album Wisdom of Elders. The album blended the roots of African music with the strut of British jazz, creating a unique sound and garnering plenty of critical praise. Shabaka Hutchings returned to recording with Sons of Kemet and new group the Comet Is Coming before issuing Shabaka and the Ancestors’ second album, We Are Sent Here by History (2020) on the Impulse! label.

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