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Abdullah Ibrahim: Dream Time
Stream-of-consciousness solo-piano recitals come in as many shades as jazz itself. At one extreme are Keith Jarrett's messianic epics. At another are Abdullah Ibrahim's less flashy but deeper outings. Ibrahim's style is about substance, space and subtlety. He says more by doing less. Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, after all, were his formative influences. Dream Time was recorded in March 2019 at the Hirzinger Concert Hall in Sölinhuben, in the foothills of the German Alps where Ibrahim ...
read moreAbdullah Ibrahim: The Sound of the Universe
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
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
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
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
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
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 ...
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