Image of the Art Ensemble of Chicago

Message to Our Folks

The Art Ensemble of Chicago

Formed in 1966, the Art Ensemble of Chicago was a groundbreaking act and the flagship group of the ­Association for the ­Advancement of Creative Musicians. Members pushed the idea of what jazz was by performing in face paint, reciting poetry, wearing masks and donning traditional African and Asian dress. Now Paul Steinbeck, assistant professor of theory and composition, combines musical analysis and historical inquiry to ­present an in-depth study of this influential group.