Abdullah Ibrahim
Encyclopedia
Abdullah Ibrahim born Adolph Johannes Brand, 9 October 1934 in Cape Town
, South Africa
, and formerly known as Dollar Brand, is a South Africa
n pianist
and composer
. 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. Ibrahim is considered the leading figure in the sub-genre, Cape Jazz
. Within jazz, his music particularly reflects the influence of Thelonious Monk
and Duke Ellington
. With his wife, the jazz singer Sathima Bea Benjamin
, he is father to the New York underground rapper Jean Grae
, as well as to a son, Tsakwe.
lessons at the age of seven, was an avid consumer of jazz records brought by American sailors, and was playing jazz professionally by 1949. In 1959 and 1960, he played alongside Kippie Moeketsi
and Hugh Masekela
with The Jazz Epistles
in Sophiatown; the group recorded the first jazz LP by Black South African musicians in 1960. Ibrahim then joined the European tour of the musical King Kong.
He moved to Europe in 1962. In February 1963, Ibrahim's wife-to-be Sathima Bea Benjamin
convinced Duke Ellington
, who was in Zürich on a European tour, to come to hear Ibrahim perform as “The Dollar Brand Trio” in Zürich's “Africana Club”. After the show, Ellington helped set up a recording session with Reprise Records
: Duke Ellington presents The Dollar Brand Trio. A second recording of the trio (also with Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn
on piano) performing with Sathima as vocalist was recorded, but remained unreleased until 1996 (A Morning in Paris under Benjamin's name). The Dollar Brand Trio (with Johnny Gertze on bass and Makaya Ntshoko on drums) subsequently played at many European festivals, as well as on radio and television.
He briefly returned to South Africa in the mid-1970s after his conversion to Islam
(and the resultant change of name from Dollar Brand to Abdullah Ibrahim); however, he soon returned to New York in 1976, as he found the political conditions too oppressive. While in South Africa, however, he made a series of recordings with noted Cape Town players (including Basil Coetzee
and Robbie Jansen
). These seminal recordings gave impetus to a new sound, Cape Jazz. These included the masterpiece, "Mannenberg", renamed "Capetown Fringe" in its US release, one of South Africa's popular musical compositions; the recording soon became an unofficial soundtrack to the anti-apartheid resistance. "Black Lightning", "African Herbs" and "Soweto is Where it is at", sounds that mirrored and spoke of the defiance in the streets and townships of South Africa. Saxophonist and flautist Carlos Ward
was his sideman in acclaimed duets during the early 1980s.
Abdullah Ibrahim has written the soundtracks for a number of films, including the award-winning Chocolat
and, more recently, No Fear, No Die. Since the ending of apartheid, he has lived in Cape Town, and now divides his time between his global concert circuit, New York, and South Africa.
He also took part in the 2002 documentary Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony
, where he and others recalled the days of apartheid.
Ibrahim has worked as a solo performer, typically in mesmerising unbroken concerts that echo the unstoppable impetus of the old marabi
performers, classical impressionists and snatches of his musical idols - Duke Ellington
, Thelonious Monk
and Fats Waller
. He also performs regularly with trios and quartets and larger orchestral units. Since his return to South Africa in the early 1990s, he has been feted with symphony orchestra performances, one of which was in honour of Nelson Mandela
's inauguration as President. He has also founded the "M7" academy for South African musicians in Cape Town, and was the initiator of the Cape Town Jazz Orchestra, an 18-piece big band launched in September 2006.
Ibrahim's song "African Marketplace" has achieved such widespread popularity that the Swedish
Communist Party
always plays it at demonstrations and meetings. Ibrahim continues to perform internationally, mainly in Europe, and with occasional shows in North America.
Ibrahim appeared in a television documentary in Japan that aired on June 26, 2010, on NHK
-BS. In the program, he performed his compositions in several beauty spots in South Africa, playing a piano set on the ground that resonated deeply with the majestic natural surroundings.
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, and formerly known as Dollar Brand, is a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. His music reflects many of the musical influences of his childhood in the multicultural port
Port
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
areas of Cape Town, ranging from traditional African songs to the gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
of the AME Church and ragas, to more modern jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and other Western styles. Ibrahim is considered the leading figure in the sub-genre, Cape Jazz
Cape jazz
Cape jazz is a genre of jazz, similar to the popular music style known as marabi, though more improvisational in character, which is performed in the very southern part of Africa...
. Within jazz, his music particularly reflects the influence of Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer considered "one of the giants of American music". Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser"...
and Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
. With his wife, the jazz singer Sathima Bea Benjamin
Sathima Bea Benjamin
Sathima Bea Benjamin , is a South African vocalist and composer born in Johannesburg, raised in Cape Town, and now based in New York City.-Early life:...
, he is father to the New York underground rapper Jean Grae
Jean Grae
Jean Grae , born November 26, 1976 is an American hip hop artist who hails from South Africa. She rose to prominence in the underground hip-hop scene in New York City, and has since built an international fanbase.- Early life :...
, as well as to a son, Tsakwe.
Biography
He first received pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
lessons at the age of seven, was an avid consumer of jazz records brought by American sailors, and was playing jazz professionally by 1949. In 1959 and 1960, he played alongside Kippie Moeketsi
Kippie Moeketsi
Kippie ‘Morolong’ Moeketsi was a South African saxophonist and jazz musician. Born into a musical Johannesburg family, Moeketsi was the youngest of eleven brothers, and one sister who was a nurse of whom all but 4 played an instrument...
and Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Ramopolo Masekela is a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, and singer.-Early life:Masekela was born in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa. He began singing and playing piano as a child...
with The Jazz Epistles
The Jazz Epistles
The Jazz Epistles were South Africa's first important bebop band. Inspired by Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, its members included Dollar Brand on piano, Kippie Moeketsi on alto saxophone, Jonas Gwangwa on trombone, Hugh Masekela on trumpet, Johnny Gertze on bass, and Early Mabuza or Makaya Ntshoko...
in Sophiatown; the group recorded the first jazz LP by Black South African musicians in 1960. Ibrahim then joined the European tour of the musical King Kong.
He moved to Europe in 1962. In February 1963, Ibrahim's wife-to-be Sathima Bea Benjamin
Sathima Bea Benjamin
Sathima Bea Benjamin , is a South African vocalist and composer born in Johannesburg, raised in Cape Town, and now based in New York City.-Early life:...
convinced Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, who was in Zürich on a European tour, to come to hear Ibrahim perform as “The Dollar Brand Trio” in Zürich's “Africana Club”. After the show, Ellington helped set up a recording session with Reprise Records
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
: Duke Ellington presents The Dollar Brand Trio. A second recording of the trio (also with Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn
Billy Strayhorn
William Thomas "Billy" Strayhorn was an American composer, pianist and arranger, best known for his successful collaboration with bandleader and composer Duke Ellington lasting nearly three decades. His compositions include "Chelsea Bridge", "Take the "A" Train" and "Lush Life".-Early...
on piano) performing with Sathima as vocalist was recorded, but remained unreleased until 1996 (A Morning in Paris under Benjamin's name). The Dollar Brand Trio (with Johnny Gertze on bass and Makaya Ntshoko on drums) subsequently played at many European festivals, as well as on radio and television.
He briefly returned to South Africa in the mid-1970s after his conversion to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
(and the resultant change of name from Dollar Brand to Abdullah Ibrahim); however, he soon returned to New York in 1976, as he found the political conditions too oppressive. While in South Africa, however, he made a series of recordings with noted Cape Town players (including Basil Coetzee
Basil Coetzee
Basil "Manenberg" Coetzee was a South African musician, perhaps best known as a saxophonist.Mountain Records describes Basil thus: 'His distinctive raunchy tenor sound and the untiring commitment to his cultural roots made him one of the best known jazzmen to come out of South Africa...
and Robbie Jansen
Robbie Jansen
Robert Edward Jansen was a South African musician and a folk hero in the Western Cape. He was born in Cape Town, South Africa.-Biography:...
). These seminal recordings gave impetus to a new sound, Cape Jazz. These included the masterpiece, "Mannenberg", renamed "Capetown Fringe" in its US release, one of South Africa's popular musical compositions; the recording soon became an unofficial soundtrack to the anti-apartheid resistance. "Black Lightning", "African Herbs" and "Soweto is Where it is at", sounds that mirrored and spoke of the defiance in the streets and townships of South Africa. Saxophonist and flautist Carlos Ward
Carlos Ward
Carlos Ward is a jazz alto saxophonist and flautist. He is best known as a sideman.His first instrument was the clarinet at age 13 when he lived in Seattle, Washington...
was his sideman in acclaimed duets during the early 1980s.
Abdullah Ibrahim has written the soundtracks for a number of films, including the award-winning Chocolat
Chocolat (1988 film)
Chocolat is a 1988 film directed by Claire Denis, about a French family that lives in colonial Cameroon. Marc and Aimée Dalens are the parents of France , a young girl who befriends Protée , a Cameroon native who is the family's household servant...
and, more recently, No Fear, No Die. Since the ending of apartheid, he has lived in Cape Town, and now divides his time between his global concert circuit, New York, and South Africa.
He also took part in the 2002 documentary Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony
Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony
Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony is a 2002 documentary film depicting the struggles of black South Africans against the injustices of Apartheid through the use of music. The film takes its name from the Nguni word amandla, which means power.The film was Produced by Sherry Simpson Dean...
, where he and others recalled the days of apartheid.
Ibrahim has worked as a solo performer, typically in mesmerising unbroken concerts that echo the unstoppable impetus of the old marabi
Marabi
Marabi is an indigenous music that evolved in South Africa over the last century.The early part of the 20th century saw the increasing urbanisation of black South Africans in mining centres such as the gold mining area around Johannesburg - the Witwatersrand...
performers, classical impressionists and snatches of his musical idols - Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer considered "one of the giants of American music". Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser"...
and Fats Waller
Fats Waller
Fats Waller , born Thomas Wright Waller, was a jazz pianist, organist, composer, singer, and comedic entertainer...
. He also performs regularly with trios and quartets and larger orchestral units. Since his return to South Africa in the early 1990s, he has been feted with symphony orchestra performances, one of which was in honour of Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
's inauguration as President. He has also founded the "M7" academy for South African musicians in Cape Town, and was the initiator of the Cape Town Jazz Orchestra, an 18-piece big band launched in September 2006.
Ibrahim's song "African Marketplace" has achieved such widespread popularity that the Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
Communist Party
Communist Party (Sweden)
The Communist Party is a Marxist-Leninist political party in Sweden.1970-1977 it was known as the Communist League Marxist-Leninists and during 1977-2004 it had the name Communist Party Marxist-Leninists ...
always plays it at demonstrations and meetings. Ibrahim continues to perform internationally, mainly in Europe, and with occasional shows in North America.
Ibrahim appeared in a television documentary in Japan that aired on June 26, 2010, on NHK
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
-BS. In the program, he performed his compositions in several beauty spots in South Africa, playing a piano set on the ground that resonated deeply with the majestic natural surroundings.
Discography
- 1960: Jazz Epistle Verse 1
- 1964: Duke Ellington presents The Dollar Brand Trio
- 1965: The Dream
- 1965: Anatomy of a South African Village (Black Lion RecordsBlack Lion RecordsBlack Lion Records was a jazz record label based in London, England.Black Lion was founded by Alan Bates in 1968. The label had two series of releases, one for British jazz musicians and one for international musicians...
) - 1965: This is Dollar Brand (Black Lion)
- 1969: African Sketchbook
- 1969: African Piano
- 1973: Good News from Africa
- 1973: African Space Program
- 1974: Ancient Africa
- 1975: Confluence
- 1976: Banyana – Children of Africa
- 1977: The Journey
- 1977: Streams of Consciousness
- 1977: Buddy Tate Meets Dollar Brand (Chiaroscuro RecordsChiaroscuro Records-Artists:*Nat Adderley*Howard Alden*George Barnes*Louie Bellson*Gene Bertoncini*Eubie Blake*Ruby Braff*John Bunch*Don Cherry*Buck Clayton*Eddie Condon*Johnny Costa*Kenny Davern*Wild Bill Davison*Lou Donaldson*Dorothy Donegan*John Eaton*Don Ewell...
) - 1978: Anthem for the New Nations
- 1978: AutobiographyAutobiography (Abdullah Ibrahim album)Autobiography is a live recording by pianist and flautist Abdullah Ibrahim , taken from a June 18, 1978 concert in Switzerland. On the recording, Ibrahim recalls his childhood in South Africa through the songs he learned then, progressing to his own compositions in adulthood...
- 1978: Soweto
- 1979: Echoes from Africa
- 1979: African Marketplace
- 1979: Africa Tears and Laughter
- 1980: Dollar Brand at Montreux
- 1982: African DawnAfrican Dawn-Track listing:# "Blues For A Hip King" – 5:43# "Sunshine of your Smile" – 3:25# "African Dawn" – 6:27# "African Piano" – 6:42# "'Round Midnight" – 5:26# "Just You, Just Me" – 3:11...
- 1983: Ekaya
- 1983: Zimbabwe
- 1985: Water From an Ancient WellWater From an Ancient WellWater from an Ancient Well is a jazz album by South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim.-Track listing:All tracks written by Ibrahim# "Mandela" - 4:58# "Song for Sathima" - 6:10# "Mannenberg " - 6:09# "Tuang Guru" - 5:24...
- 1986: South Africa
- 1988: MindifMindif (Abdullah Ibrahim album)Mindif is a Jazz album by South African artist Abdullah Ibrahim. It was performed and recorded for the soundtrack of a French film, Chocolat by Claire Denis...
- 1989: Blues for a Hip KingBlues for a Hip KingBlues for a Hip King is a Jazz album by South African artist Abdullah Ibrahim.-Track listing:# "Ornette's Cornet" - 5:23# "All Day & All Night Long" - 5:28# "Sweet Basil Blues" - 6:21# "Blue Monk" - 6:06# "Tsakwe Here Comes the Postman" - 11:45...
- 1989: African RiverAfrican River-Track listing:# "Toi-Toi" – 3:27# "African River" – 9:44# "Joan – Capetown Flower" – 5:46# "Chisa" – 4:24# "Sweet Samba" – 5:52# "Duke 88" – 8:27# "The Wedding" – 3:54# "The Mountain Of The Night" – 3:33...
- 1989: The Mountain
- 1990: No Fear, No Die
- 1991: Mantra Mode
- 1993: xnysna Blue
- 1994: African Sun
- 1995: Yarona
- 1997: Cape Town Flowers
- 1999: African Suite
- 2000: Cape Town Revisited
- 2001: Ekapa Lodumo
- 2002: African Magic
- 2008: Senzo
- 2009: Bombella
- 2010: Sotho Blue (& Ekaya)