The Art Ensemble of Chicago’s latest album, recorded in Paris, where the group was formed over 50 years ago.

THE ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO, EXPANDING TO A CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, MARKS ITS SIXTH DECADE AS A VITAL FORCE ON THE WORLD MUSIC STAGE WITH AN EAR-OPENING LIVE RECORDING ON TWO LPS

Recorded in France in 2020 at the Son d’ hiver festival, this recording celebrates the legendary group’s historic ties to Paris, where it was formed in 1968.

When trumpet great Lester Bowie died in 1999, followers of the Art Ensemble of Chicago couldn’t help but wonder whether the legendary quintet, which owed so much to his special and outlandish gifts, would – or should – go on. That it did, in his memory, with no loss of spirit. But the subsequent passing of two other founding members Malachi Favors Maghostut in 2004 & Joseph Jarman in 2019, made it even more difficult to envision a future for the band.

Leave it to the AEC’s proud