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Jazz Articles about Abdullah Ibrahim
Abdullah Ibrahim: The Sound of the Universe
by Mackenzie Horne
Abdullah Ibrahim's cosmology informs his art. While some might look upon him as an overseer at the crossroads between new and old, the tempered pianist stands as a sage, painting swirling rhythms that resemble the spheres of the universe with his compositions. He continues to combine ancient wisdom with the tones of the future; formation and reformation are one and the same for him. He roots his musical practice within tradition, composing with an ethos based on cycles.
read moreAbdullah Ibrahim: The Balance
by Chris May
Abdullah Ibrahim's discography goes back sixty years, and although there are longer periods between his releases than there used to be, Ibrahim has retained all his grit and jubilance. The pianist and composer continues to make gloriously uplifting music steeped in its South African roots, in a style which still carries echoes of his formative overseas influences, {{m: Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk. The Balance, which is Ibrahim's first new album in four years, will delight anyone who ...
read moreJoey D Came To Town, Abdullah’s A Winner & More
by Marc Cohn
Three features for you this week. Joey DeFrancesco wowed Baton Rouge on Wednesday, November 28th at the Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge; we warmed up the crowd on Gifts and Messages with DrJazz's request list. Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim is a 2019 NEA Jazz Masters Award winner, and we spotlight his Penguin Guide 'Core Collection' recording, Yarona. And we also spotlight Charlie Christian with Benny Goodman from the 25th ASCAP anniversary concert @ Carnegie Hall in 1939. Of course, there's much, ...
read moreJazz in Exile, Part Two
by Seton Hawkins
South Africa's Jazz enters a period of exile following the Sharpeville Massacre. In Part Two of Jazz in Exile, we'll examine more closely the artists who leave South Africa for Europe, learn about their stories, and hear their music. Playlist Blue Notes “Ntyilo Ntyilo" from Blue Notes for Johnny (Ogun Records) 01:49 Brotherhood of Breath “Mra" from Brotherhood of Breath (Repertoire Records) 09:45 Johnny Dyani “Radebe" from Witchdoctor's Son (Steeplechase Records) 16:15 Louis Moholo-Moholo “Ithi Gqi" from Spirits Rejoice! (Ogun ...
read moreAbdullah Ibrahim at the Michigan Theater
by C. Andrew Hovan
Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya Michigan Theater A Tribute to the Jazz Epistles Ann Arbor, Michigan April 13, 2018 Back in the fall of 2015, the University Musical Society had the rare opportunity to present the legendary South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim in one of his rare U.S. appearances. So when UMS announced last spring that Ibrahim would again return to Ann Arbor for their 2017-2018 season, it was cause for celebration. Upping the ante ...
read moreThe Jazz Epistles featuring Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya at The Town Hall
by Dan Bilawsky
The Jazz Epistles featuring Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya The Town Hall New York, NY April 27, 2017 There are rare instances when a musical message for the times manages to transcend its place, evolving into a message for all time. Such is the case with The Jazz Epistles, the first black South African band to embrace and advance the sounds of modern jazz. Back in 1959, a collection of that country's ...
read moreAbdullah Ibrahim in Stunning Recital at the 30th Annual Oslo Jazz Festival
by John Ephland
Abdullah Ibrahim Universitetets Aula 30th Annual Oslo Jazz Festival Oslo, Norway August 16, 2016 Alternately rhapsodic and episodic, pianist/composer Abdullah Ibrahim filled the airs of the 500- seat Universitetets Aula with melody upon melody, all of it improvised yet seemingly composed. The occasion was the 30th annual Oslo Jazz Festival, August 14-20, and Ibrahim was going it alone, a scheduled trio performance canceled due to rumors of a terrorist ...
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