On this solo piano set, Abdullah Ibrahim pays tributes to some of his musical heroes: Thelonious Monk (“‘Round Midnight,” “Just You, Just Me,” “Blue Monk,” and “For Monk”), John Coltrane (“For Coltrane”), and Billy Strayhorn (“A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing”), although surprisingly not Duke Ellington this time. But even on the direct tributes (which are sometimes a bit abstract), Ibrahim sounds very much like himself. The pianist, who also contributed five other colorful originals, displays his South African heritage and his optimistic view of the future in his unique brand of jazz. African Dawn is a fine example of his solo piano talents.
