And hes also the man nelson mandela called the mozart of south africa. Perhaps this is something that was destined to occur or perhaps it is a talent shaped by a life under apartheid, including life as an exile and, later, a return to his south africa home. The song is my story by abdullah ibrahim 16728140423. After a successful 1974 collaboration with producer rashid vally and a band that included basil coetzee and. Ibrahims influences from living abroad, notably that of his early mentor, duke. Stream adfree or purchase cds and mp3s now on amazon. Alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, soprano sax, woodwind choir or ensemble, saxophone choir sno, s, a, a, a, t, t, b, b, bass bass and sopranino parts are optional intermediate digital download by abdullah ibrahim. Autobiography is a live recording by pianist and flautist abdullah ibrahim also known as dollar brand, taken from a june 18, 1978, concert in switzerland. Such is the case with the jazz epistles, the first black south african band to embrace and advance the sounds of modern. Thursdays performances were a warmup for the creative energy that would hit. Yes, the pace picks up on tracks like someday soon sweet samba and the capetown to congo square suite, but there is something so. African piano is a solo piano album by abdullah ibrahim, recorded in 1969. The journey by abdullah ibrahim on amazon music unlimited.
Music profile for abdullah ibrahim, born 9 october 1934. His music is always authentically jazz, yet never selfindulgent or listenerunfriendly. Hugh masekela and abdullah ibrahim, two of the biggest stars to emerge from south africa, achieved success independently. Composerpianist ibrahim abdullah, known until 1968 as dollar brand, is one of the bestknown jazz performers to hail from south africa. South african jazz musician abdullah ibrahim returns with. In the 50s as dollar brand he took the name abdullah ibrahim in the 60s when. Abdullah ibrahim revisits the past at town hall the. For at least 60 of those years, he has been a jazz.
Dollar brand, abdullah ibrahim african marketplace amazon. Abdullah ibrahim dollar brand hajj the journey duration. The book is thoroughly illustrated and lists abdullahs recordings from 1954 to the present. Since leaving south africa in the early 1960s to escape apartheid and pursue an international career, the jazz pianist abdullah ibrahim has made music with. Abdullah ibrahim, king of jazz in south africa voa. Modern jazz with roots in south africa, yet players from u. The jazz epistles with abdullah ibrahim, ekaya, and terence blanchard,jazz alley, seattle, wa, feb 1617, 7. Abdullah ibrahim band 1968 ndr g jabolani joy youtube. The penguin guide to jazz commented that the 1991 cd robs the music of some of its fullhearted resonance. Buy fully licensed online digital, transposable, printable sheet music. Abdullah ibrahim dollar brand the journey 2003, cd. Track listing bra joe from kilimanjaro selby that the eternal spirit is the only reality the moon xaba sunset in blue kippy jabulani easter joy tintiyana personnel. Ibrahim is considered the leading figure in the subgenre of cape jazz. South african pianist and composer abdullah ibrahim still known as dollar brand at the time this recording was first made joined forces with several wellknown figures in avantgarde jazz, including trumpeter don cherry and baritone saxophonist hamiet bluiett, for this 1978 session.
With abdullah ibrahim reassembling the iconic jazz epistles band for a run of shows at the sfjazz center on february 2225, revisit journalist richard scheinins profile of the south african legend. Abdullah ibrahims bombella has been named one of the best albums of the decade by several critics and now the iconic pianist and composer returns to south africa for three exclusive performances promoting the album, accompanied by the multi grammy awardwinning wdr big band cologne. By jazz standards, it should be a two or threedisc set. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you give your consent for this. Both versions are released for the first time under the name abdullah ibrahim instead of the pianists original dollar brand sobriquet. Find abdullah ibrahim discography, albums and singles on allmusic. This blend of the traditional and the modern is reflected in his distinctive style, harmonies, and musical vocabulary. Abdullah ibrahim and the politics of jazz in south africa. Nov 14, 2017 abdullah ibrahim and ekaya appear at the royal festival hall on 14 november as part of the efg london jazz festival 020 3879 9555. This recorded under name dollar brand, produced by abdullah ibrahim and they are one and same person. The song is my story, a gorgeous solopiano album from the veteran south african musician abdullah ibrahim, is 17 tracks long.
Listen to your favorite songs from the journey by abdullah ibrahim now. Jun 3, 20 abdullah ibrahim, formerly known as dollar brand, has international recognition as a pianist and composer. Abdullah ibrahims vast discography has something for everyone, and that includes those of us who prefer a little tranquility to our sunday mornings. View all albums and help us complete abdullah ibrahim discography. Within jazz, his music particularly reflects the influence of thelonious monk and duke ellington. Compact disc in jewel case by south african born pianist abdullah ibrahim nee dollar brand. Jazz pianist abdullah ibrahim maintains the balance in life and music. South african composer and pianist abdullah ibrahim, formerly known as dollar brand, is now in his 84th year. Abdullah ibrahim thrilled the audiences at the joy of. With the help of american jazz star duke ellington, whom he met first in zurich, ibrahim was able to record and perform in europe as well as the united states. Abdullah ibrahim hymns of freedom latin jazz network.
Prolific south african jazz pianist who blends african roots music with contemporary american jazz. Abdullah ibrahim brings a poignancy to a melody unlike any other jazz musician, ever. His inspiring music was one of the driving forces behind the antiapartheid movement in south. Abdullah ibrahim master from ian henderson on vimeo. Mar 03, 2015 many will know him from the soundtrack of chocolat, claire deniss movie from 1988, but there is much more behind the south african pianistcomposer abdullah ibrahim that makes him one of the worlds jazz greats. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The second, revised and expanded edition of my book. Apr 28, 2017 since leaving south africa in the early 1960s to escape apartheid and pursue an international career, the jazz pianist abdullah ibrahim has made music with a sense of tenuous suspension. I never realised there was so much inner joy and peace in prayer, he says. As a result, not all of the music is the hypnotic, very rhythmic music that he is known for. The balance is the joy of arriving after an arduous journey of. Many will know him from the soundtrack of chocolat, claire deniss movie from 1988, but there is much more behind the south african pianistcomposer abdullah ibrahim that makes him one of the worlds jazz greats. Abdullah ibrahim biography, albums, streaming links. The legacy of the jazz epistles, south africas shortlived but.
Aug 07, 2019 south african composer and pianist abdullah ibrahim, formerly known as dollar brand, is now in his 84th year. Abdullah ibrahim while apartheid divided a nation, south african jazz artists were exporting a heady mix of harmony, energy and hope john fordham. Abdullah ibrahim, 1968 jabolani august 30th, 2019 a recently released jazz album of significance is abdullah ibrahims the balance, a distinctive and brilliant integration of contemporary exploration with the traditional nod to those who have influenced him over the years in particular ellington and monk. Abdullah ibrahim welcomes special guest musicians from his youth to reimagine music for his ekaya chamber ensemble. Driven into exile by the apartheid government, ibrahim had been living in europe and the united states during the 1960s and 70s, making brief visits to south africa to record music. Complete your abdullah ibrahim dollar brand collection. Abdullah ibrahim and ekaya appear at the royal festival hall on 14 november as part of the efg london jazz festival 020 3879 9555.
Recorded during his visit to the company in the summer of 2014, the 17track album captures the journeyman jazz artist on piano, as well as two tracks on saxophone. Find abdullah ibrahim discography, albums and singles on allmusic allmusic. A very different breed of jazz pianist, ibrahim is a muchcopied and muchloved artist who has written several haunting themes that will forever be associated with south african jazz. So, any other adjective i can add about the music of the gifted south african pianist, flutist, composer and bandleader abdullah ibrahim would be redundant.
Mannenberg is a cape jazz song by south african musician abdullah ibrahim, first recorded in 1974. Abdullah ibrahim, south africas most distinguished pianist and a worldrespected master musician, was born in 1934 in cape town and baptized adolph johannes brand. The run also serves as a tribute to the late trumpeter hugh masekela, who was originally set to perform with the. Dollar brand, as he used to be known before he converted to islam in the late 60s, is far from your usual jazzer. The jazz epistles with abdullah ibrahim, ekaya, and terence. The joy of his homecoming is admixed throughout this cd with mr. Dec 07, 2001 in the 50s as dollar brand he took the name abdullah ibrahim in the 60s when he converted to islam, he led cape towns shortlived flowering of bebopinspired jazz. Such is the case with the jazz epistles, the first black south african band to embrace and advance the sounds of modern jazz. This live 1997 performance on the south african pianists cape town home turf is one such offering. His music reflects many of the musical influences of his. Abdullah ibrahim had not performed in canada or north america for at least ten years so on this rare occasion, a premier event for the guelph jazz festival it presented festival goers with a very special opportunity to witness a master performing a solo concert.
Abdullah ibrahim born adolph johannes brand on 9 october 1934 and formerly known as dollar brand is a south african pianist and composer. Abdullah ibrahim, september 8, 2012 river run centre guelph, ontario. The occasion was the 30th annual oslo jazz festival. Abdullah ibrahim is a jazz pianist, a composer, an antiapartheid activist. Disgusted with south africas doomed jazz scene, dollar brand, as ibrahim was known then, fled to europe in 1962. As a result, not all of the music is the hypnotic, very. His music reflects many of the musical influences of his childhood in the multicultural port areas of cape town, ranging from traditional african songs to the gospel of the ame church and ragas, to more modern jazz and other western styles. This blend of the traditional and the modern is reflected. Then there are those hardcore jazz lovers who like the real stuff, honks, squeaks and discord. Kids are welcome and free entry for children under 12 yrs.
The jazz epistles with abdullah ibrahim, ekaya, and. Formed in the 1950s by the union of two legendary south african jazz bands and inspired by art blakeys jazz messengers, the jazz epistles were young, swaggering, smart exponents of bop and cool. The occasion was the 30th annual oslo jazz festival, august 1420, and ibrahim was going it alone, a. Dollar brand, abdullah ibrahim african marketplace. Released in celebration of his 80th birthday, 2014s the song is my story finds pianist abdullah ibrahim performing a live solo concert at the legendary fazioli grand piano company in italy. Well have it back up and running as soon as possible. Abdullah ibrahim, king of jazz in south africa voa music blog. His music reflects many of the musical influences of his childhood in the multicultural port areas of cape town, ranging from traditional african songs. Ibrahim is a very creative jazz pianist and has been for forty years or more. In the 50s as dollar brand he took the name abdullah ibrahim in the 60s when he converted to islam, he led cape towns shortlived flowering of bebopinspired jazz. Abdullah ibrahim combines the rhythmic influences of south africa with the improvisation of jazz to create his spiritually enriching music, whether performing solo, with a trio, a full band, or an orchestra. He will be performing at the standard bank joy of jazz 20, 22 august 20. Abdullah ibrahim, formerly known as dollar brand, has international.
But ibrahim had just come from a pilgrimage to mecca, and the gusts of inspiration that sweep through these lengthy solopiano excursions are from the mind and heart of the recommitted. Abdullah ibrahim performs at joy of jazz at the sandton convention centre on saturday. Abdullah ibrahim born 1934, cape town, south africa, formerly known as adolph johannes brand, and as dollar brand from a popular brand of cigarettes, is a south african pianist and composer. Diaa bekheet washington, dc he is a jazz visionary and a piano master inspired by americas legendary composer and pianist duke ellington. Albums include water from an ancient well, good news from africa, and african piano. On the recording, ibrahim recalls his childhood in south africa through the songs he learned then, progressing to his own compositions in adulthood. Abdullah ibrahim universitetets aula 30th annual oslo jazz festival oslo, norway august 16, 2016 alternately rhapsodic and episodic, pianistcomposer abdullah ibrahim filled the airs of the 500 seat universitetets aula with melody upon melody, all of it improvised yet seemingly composed. Apr 25, 2019 abdullah ibrahim converted to islam nearly five years before these solopiano recordings were captured in toronto on feb. The final evening of the 20th standard bank joy of jazz, a festival. Abdullah ibrahim biography, albums, streaming links allmusic. South african freedom day legends of south african music reunite for a historic concert to tell the story of the jazz epistles, arguably the most important jazz album ever recorded in its countrys history. The run also serves as a tribute to the late trumpeter hugh masekela, who was originally set to perform with the jazz epistles. I was learning to read music, and abdullah said, take that book away. For the guardians jazz critic, john fordham, ibrahims music hides.
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