Lance Bryant on the Jazz Epistles
The 1960’s was the decade where jazz musicians began to assert a stronger African heritage and even non-conformist approaches to their music. Although this had only begun to fully blossom in 1960, the Jazz Epistles in South Africa were already on this path in 1959 and ’60, creating progressive music reminiscent of Cecil Taylor, Andrew […]
ABDULLAH IBRAHIM & EKAYA AND HUGH MASEKELA : A Tribute to Jazz Epistles
After years in exile and liberated South Africa it is only now; for the first time in 60 years that these two iconic jazz instrumentalists, icons and South African global jazz ambassadors; Abdullah Ibrahim and Hugh Masekela will reunite and perform on one stage. In solidarity and recognition of all those who were a part […]
New Abdullah Ibrahim Short Film
Black Major Artist Management have announced the release of a new short film on the musical philosophy of legendary South African jazz pioneer, Abdullah Ibrahim. Directed by Ian Henderson of local production company THINKFILM, the production centres around a secret street performance by Ibrahim at Cape Town’s Church Square. The film lifts a veil on […]
Surprise concert by Abdullah Ibrahim draws the jazz fans
If you were walking through the Cape Town CBD yesterday, you might have come across an odd scene – a grand piano in a church square – and you would have found jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahim giving a free concert. Playing for 45 minutes, just a few steps away from parliament, the 81-year-old drew a crowd and […]
Legendary Abdullah Ibrahim’s epic early 2016 gift to Cape Town
On a windy Wednesday in Cape Town, photographer Andiswa Mkosi left the office to attend what would be her first musical event for 2016. Lucky for her and many artists and jazz aficionados in Cape Town, she was treated to a free concert at Church Square by the legendary pianist and composer, Abdullah Ibrahim. The […]
Ibrahim to play a rare concert in London
Now 81, the tall, dignified Cape Town-born jazz musician, famed for international hits like Mannenberg (1974), will play solo a programme of music that combines South African township and traditional African music, gospel, and enigmatic jazz. Born in Cape Town as Adolph Johannes Brand, his mother was Coloured, his father Sotho. She was a church […]
Abdullah Ibrahim back on home soil
One of Cape Town’s favourite sons, jazz pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim seldom performs in South Africa due to his international commitments. But he is in the city for a one-off concert. He told eNCA that South Africa is like a child in the process of being born and “sometimes we have to be brought […]
Gifts from a jazz maestro
The email from Abdullah Ibrahim says: “1700hrs confirmed for tomorrow.” I have already drawn up a list of 15 questions for one of South Africa’s national treasures. At 5pm the next day, we are talking on Skype. With the tone and immediacy of a toddler’s 21 questions, a bright-eyed Ibrahim (81) asks: “Where are you?” […]
Exploring sounds of Cape Town, church, and jazz
South African pianist, composer, and bandleader Abdullah Ibrahim kept things at a simmering intensity in a rare Boston concert on Sunday. The iconic South African pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim, now 81, draws equally from the African Methodist Episcopal Church and township music of his Cape Town boyhood, and American jazz – predominantly Duke Ellington. At […]
Reliving a magical moment
When Abdullah Ibrahim takes the Berklee Performance Center stage Sunday night, under the auspices of World Music, it will be the first time in years that he’s played locally with his big (seven-piece) band, Ekaya. If it’s anything like the last time… There are some concerts that change the way you look at music. And […]