I managed to see the Art Ensemble of Chicago last weekend at International House in Philadelphia, and they were simply stunning in the depth, wit & beauty of their music. I House had sold every seat in the house, plus maybe 20 more, as people sat along the steps up through the rows of seating. The current line-up consists of founder Roscoe Mitchell on saxophones, drummer Famoudou Don Moye (plus a second percussionist sitting in whose name I did not catch), Hugh Ragin on trumpets & William Parker on bass & stringed African instruments. If it doesn’t take your breath away, you’re not breathing.

Videos of the Art Ensemble of Chicago