Abdullah Ibrahim, acclaimed South African jazz pianist, dead at 91
Abdullah Ibrahim, an acclaimed jazz pianist from South Africa, has died aged 91.
Ibrahim was one of the most celebrated musicians from the country, having recorded and released over 70 albums since his career began in 1960.
The sad news of his passing was announced by his family on June 15th, saying he had died earlier that day in Germany, following a short illness.
A statement from his wife, Dr Marina Umari, said (via The Guardian): “Abdullah passed away peacefully with South Africa and its people in his heart,” before adding, “His love for his country never wavered, no matter where in the world he found himself.”
Born as Adolph Johannes Brand in 1934, the pianist first made his debut in his homeland at the age of 15, using the name Dollar Brand, although he had started recording music in earnest since he was seven years old.
However, given that apartheid took over South Africa in the 1960s, Ibrahim’s music soon became synonymous with the anti-racial segregation movement. His jazz piece ‘Mannenberg’, released in 1974, became a particular anthem of the anti-apartheid cause.
As a result of the societal issues plaguing the country, Ibrahim moved to New York in the early 1960s and remained in exile from the South African government until the 1990s.
While in America, he was introduced to jazz legend Duke Ellington, whose music he was heavily inspired by, along with the likes of Thelonius Monk.
Speaking of Ellington in a 2024 interview with Tidal, Ibrahim said: “I always say we never thought of Ellington as an African American – we thought of him as a wise old man in the village.”
He added at the time: “You have any musical problem or inspiration, you go to Ellington. And he has been that bulwark for many, many, many musicians.”
Over the course of a storied career, Ibrahim’s final album, 3, was released back in 2023.
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