Abdullah Ibrahim Often referred to as “Africa’s authentic ambassador to jazz civilisation”. Ibrahim has been acknowledged for his invaluable contribution to the arts the world of jazz.
Throughout his prolific career as a jazz pioneer he has managed to accumulate accolades at almost each stage of his colourful career.
Abdullah Ibrahim Often referred to as “Africa’s authentic ambassador to jazz civilisation”. Ibrahim has been acknowledged for his invaluable contribution to the arts the world of jazz.
Throughout his prolific career as a jazz pioneer he has managed to accumulate accolades at almost each stage of his colourful career.
After his first piano lesson at the tender age of seven, Ibrahim became a professional musician within a mere seven years and gradually carved a niche for himself in Cape Town as an artist, accompanying other musical greats such as Miriam Makeba.
However, since the political climate proved impossible for the band he founded, The Jazz Epistles, to grow, he left for Europe in 1962.
Ibrahim was discovered in Zürich by jazz legend Duke Ellington at a concert who, along with Thelonious Monk, was a great influence on his music.
He was subsequently awarded a grant to study at the Julliard School of Music in 1968. In the 70s and 80s, he flourished as a producer in New York and produced the anthemic legends Mannenberg and Soweto.
These grounbreaking songs helped widespread victims of apartheid deal with the the oppression, turmoil
and struggles they had to endure.
His spiritual beliefs have had an undoubtedly profound impact on his music – his immense faith in the healing power of music and as a means of connecting generations and breaking boundaries.
He finally returned home to South Africa in 1990 and had the honour of performing at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration in 1994.
Internationally, Ibrahim continues to generate acclaim as his musical endeavours include writing for Swiss and German symphonies and orchestras and composing soundtracks for film.
