What better venue to see this extraordinary man on a solo piano performance, than on the stage at the Maynardville amphitheatre in Wynberg. With the starry skies above and surrounded by lush lawns, trees and gardens, it is the perfect setting to sit back, relax and listen to one of the best pianists in the world.
Abdullah Ibrahim, formerly known as Dollar Brand, started his musical journey with formal piano lessons at the age of 7.
He and Hugh Masekela performed and recorded with South Africa’s first premiere jazz group, the Jazz Epistles.
Whilst in exile in Europe in 1963, he was discovered by Duke Ellington at a jazz cafe in Zurich, and this led to the recording of ‘Duke Ellington presents the Dollar Brand Trio’.
In the 1970s, Abdullah’s songs “Manenberg” and “Soweto”, would be embraced as anthems of protest against apartheid South Africa. And these songs are still as popular, and played as often, now as they were over 40 years ago.
In the 1980s he would form the septet Ekaya, which would become one of the few successful acoustic jazz groups of this era. And the 1990s would see collaborations with big bands and classical string orchestras.
Abdullah in his solo capacity and accompanied by Ekaya has performed in the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals. Some of the most recent highlights include Carnegie Hall (NYC) in 2014, Royal Albert Hall (London) 2014 and Montreux Jazz Festival in 2013.
His latest recording, The Song is My story, released in 2014, garnered critical acclaim.
The Guardian (UK) rated it with 4 stars “….all played with a remarkable liquid touch, and feels like a late-life Ibrahim renaissance”.
Abdullah Ibrahim has recorded prolifically and he has become one of the leading pianists, composers, and figures in modern jazz. He remains in his zenith, as a musician and a tireless initiator of new projects.
Abdullah Ibrahim will be live in concert at Maynardville for one night only on 18 December 2015. Tickets will cost R375.00 and are available from webtickets.co.za. Food and drinks will be on sale.
