Abdullah Ibrahim

South African pianist and composer known for blending African musical motifs with jazz; discovered by Duke Ellington in 1962.

Born in Cape Town; long career as pianist, composer and bandleader; stylistically blends African themes and jazz, often with a melancholic, minimalist piano approach.

DeBaser's review emphasizes Abdullah Ibrahim's gift for creating 'magic with very few notes' and a melancholy, suspended musical flow. The review discusses the 2002 album African Magic (trio with Belden Bullock and Sipho Kunene, recorded in Berlin). Ibrahim is noted as a South African pianist discovered by Duke Ellington in 1962 and for blending African motifs with jazz.

For:jazz listeners, world-music fans, piano aficionados, students of African music