Jazz Articles about Abdullah Ibrahim

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Abdullah Ibrahim: Senzo

by Raul d'Gama Rose
March 18, 2009

Any record by Abdullah Ibrahim is always an event to look forward to, often with bated breath as he always turns in something quite breathtaking. Ibrahim has done this with Good News from Africa (Enja, 1973), Water from an Ancient Well (Ekapa/Tiptoe, 1985), the exquisite orchestral work African Suite (Ekapa/Tiptoe, 1998), and several others. The thrilling Senzo can be added to that list. This is a major solo piano suite, comprising 21 individually composed segments, plus a ...

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Abdullah Ibrahim: Senzo

by AAJ Italy Staff
November 19, 2008

La cultura occidentale ha una formidabile capacità di sintetizzare e stereotipare le forze culturali che provengono dall'esterno, un capacità da un lato foriera di una ricchezza comunicativa straordinaria, dall'altro di una rapidissima neutralizzazione di quelle che possono essere delle energie in qualche modo cetrifughe rispetto alla norma o al grado di esotismo stabilito. Un esempio piuttosto fulgido è quello di Abdullah Ibrahim, il settantaquattrenne pianista sudafricano conosciuto originariamente come Dollar Brand e poi trasferitosi in Europa negli anni Sessanta, dove ...

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Abdullah Ibrahim: A Celebration

by AAJ Staff
May 20, 2005

Now entering his eighth decade, pianist Abdullah Ibrahim has been largely responsible for introducing the world to South African jazz and attracting new ears to its warm, reverent tradition, whether from exile or Cape Town. To celebrate his 70th birthday, his 50th year on record, and his 35th anniversary as an Enja Records recording artist, the label has assembled this collection.

As compilations go, this is about as wide-ranging and inclusive as one could reasonably expect from a single label. ...

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Abdullah Ibrahim: A Celebration & Re:Brahim

by AAJ Staff
May 14, 2005

Now entering his eighth decade, Abdullah Ibrahim has long ago established himself as a true master of jazz--whether in New York, London, Cape Town, or beyond.

The pianist has accomplished two very important things in the last fifty years. First, he has brought South African jazz to the world, recruiting new fans to its characteristically warm, reverent vibe--still taking regular risks to tap into outer realms of spiritual energy, but never far from his roots in bop, classical, ...

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Abdullah Ibrahim Trio at the Earshot Jazz Festival

by Ryan Burns
February 15, 2005

(One person says) “You see that man over there? He's very talented. He speaks 40 languages!'? (The other replies) “Oh yeah, Well what does he say?'? ~Abdullah Ibrahim (after being asked by an interviewer how many languages he speaks)A man of few words yet full of musical expression, South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim recently paid a rare visit to Seattle, “speaking'? to a standing room only audience at On The Boards. Scheduled to give a question and answer discussion ...

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Abdullah Ibrahim: African Magic

by A. Henkin
November 8, 2004

Much is made of jazz as the music of African-American experience, one that is sadly pockmarked with racism, prejudice and struggle. These labors give jazz legitimacy and relevance as well as an opportunity for many to say that only jazz' black practitioners are bona fide. The 10th Anniversary of free elections in South Africa is a perfect time to consider the plight of musicians outside of the American experience. The tradition of South African jazz is not ...

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South Africa: Two Abdullah Ibrahim Reissues

by AAJ Staff
April 19, 2004

Probably the most important member of South Africa's jazz elite, pianist Abdullah Ibrahim certainly wasted no time forging alliances after his 1962 departure from his homeland. Although he hit it off right away with Duke Ellington, for example, resulting in the 1963 date Duke Ellington Presents the Dollar Brand Trio , he has always made a point of keeping his own nuclei intact and often bereft of outright star power. (Note: Dollar Brand was his name until he converted to ...