At 90, jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim is still finding new ways to engage with music
South African jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim laughs when he remembers a gig he played shortly after he moved to America in 1965. “There was this club in New York and I suggested that I bring my trio,” he recalls. But instead of the typical bass and drums rhythm section, he brought a cellist and a bass clarinetist. […]
Shubert Ending Year With String Of Shows, New Space
Jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahim waited at the piano, listening intently, while his bandmates, Cleave Guyton on flute and Noah Jackson on bass, finished a quietly acrobatic rendering of a Duke Ellington classic that was also a nod to Ibrahim’s past. Guyton and Jackson finished, and left the stage. Then Ibrahim began, slowly, deliberately, with exquisite touch and gorgeous […]
Nelson Mandela’s favorite pianist, South African jazz master Abdullah Ibrahim, is bringing his trio to Philly
Shortly after arriving in New York City in 1965, beginning a decades-long exile from apartheid-era South Africa, pianist Abdullah Ibrahim formed an unusual trio. Instead of the usual piano, bass, and drums lineup, he enlisted Cuban American cellist Calo Scott and Philadelphia avant-garde woodwind player Byard Lancaster on bass clarinet. Arriving at a Manhattan jazz […]
Abdullah Ibrahim – The Water from an Ancient Well Tour
Abdullah Ibrahim returns home to South Africa after a five-year absence to give a series of landmark concerts in April 2024. The limited events will include a highlight in Cape Town where he first professionally performed aged just 16 at the iconic City Hall. Event Dates 12 April – Cape Town, City Hall 14 April […]
Abdullah Ibrahim – The maestro in Munich
At the age of 88, South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim’s music is as vital, creative and important as ever. The Germany-based composer, looking forward to the release of his latest album next year, shares more in this exclusive interview with FORBES AFRICA.
Abdullah Ibrahim Trio to perform at TD James Moody Jazz Festival
It’s all in the mix. Whatever jazz means to you, you’ll find it at NJPAC. Does it mean the American Songbook, or the rhythms of salsa? Maybe contemporary jazz is more your style? This November, we celebrate all the sounds of jazz. If you would like to see Abdullah Ibrahim perform at the TD James […]
Abdullah Ibrahim solo concert at Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
Abdullah Ibrahim triumphs in Jazz on the Coast and receives the Almuñécar Medal
He is considered one of the great jazz legends of all time, an ethical and artistic example, who is still in full swing, and attendees have been able to enjoy his music and his humanity
Abdullah Ibrahim brings his spell-binding Trio to Barbican
The South African jazz legends brings his latest trio to London as part of the EFG London Jazz Fest Summer Series
Ibrahim brings patient, playful stylings here June 8
From Charleston City Paper Once known as the musician Dollar Brand, Abdullah Ibrahim is bringing his uncanny jazz piano stylings to Spoleto Festival USA this year. With his band “Ekaya,” Ibrahim’s blend of contemporary and classical techniques are far from the standard fare. Having made his professional debut at age 15, Ibrahim has spent the […]