Abdullah Ibrahim Tickets

Adolph Johannes Brand, also referred to as Dollar Brand and now as Abdullah Ibrahim is one of the most revered pianists and composers hailing from South Africa. Ibrahim is one musician who has substantially helped shape the face of music, not just in South Africa, but internationally. He has penned soundtrack for various movies, including the 1988 French hit, Chocolat and the 1990 drama, No Fear, No Die; Abdullah Ibrahim is one artist whose musical genius has truly earned the international recognition and accolade bestowed upon him.

Since the age of seven, Ibrahim has been pursuing his passion and polishing his talent on the piano. In 1949, at age fifteen, Ibrahim made his professional debut with a jazz group, Tuxedo Slickers. His career bloomed as he gained local recognition for his musical gift and nine years later, the Dollar Brand Trio was formed. A year later, in 1959, he became part of yet another group, the Jazz Epistles. Along with fellow members, saxophonist Kippie Moeketsi, trumpeter Hugh Masekela, trombonist Jonas Gwanga, bassist Johnny Gertze and drummer Makaya Ntshoko, the Jazz Epistles are credited for recording the first ever Jazz album in South Africa. 

Ibrahim's discography consists of around forty albums. His sound is an amalgamation of various genres such as African folk, jazz, gospel, pop and soul. He is one of the few musicians credited for shaping the Cape Jazz genre. In his childhood, he was introduced to various different kinds of music; religious music, traditional African music and jazz. In the Apartheid era, he used his music as a form of resistance and protest. Many in that time used jazz music in particular as a form of registering their social objection. Up until 1962, he kept playing in South Africa with various acts, till he chose to leave the country on account of unbearable social oppression, especially after Nelson Mandela's imprisonment. Continuing his musical journey in Zurich, Ibrahim gained international acclaim as a pianist. Towards the end of the 1960's, Ibrahim started touring as a soloist and earned recognition for his musical aptitude.

Ibrahim's musical repertoire is a huge collection of collaborations and solo albums. Famously, when he was invited back to South Africa after Mandela's release, he released Mantra Modes in 1991. The album is reflective of Ibrahim's personal emotional journey as he made his comeback in his hometown. His use of music as a channel to externalize his feelings is one of the essential features of his music. Since a large part of his music based on the Jazz genre, he makes sure that while his melodies soothe, they don't bore.

Since his iconic return to his birth home, Ibrahim has collaborated a lot, mostly with the Jazz drummer, Max Roach and composer, Daniel Schnyder. His reinterpretation of different genres and his ability to bring various eclectic kinds of music together to create something unique is nothing short of amazing. In a time when hopelessness was all around in South Africa, he used music voice his opinion. Today, he uses his music as a source of emotional release. Albums such as African Sketchbook, The Journey, African Dawn, Autobiography, Cape Town Flowers and Senzo make up the ultimate collection that creates a space for listeners to feel joy, love and heartache.

With a career that spans over six decades, Abdullah Ibrahim has won critical and commercial success on an international scale. His music has inspired hope, courage and happiness in a generation suffering for despair and misery. This year, Ibrahim is bringing his music to America. For fans, Abdullah Ibrahim tickets are now available for purchase.