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Abdullah Ibrahim, 1934-1991
Abdullah Ibrahim, quiet giant of the jazz piano, has died at 91
- June 15, 2026 - Martin Johnson, NPR
https://www.npr.org/2026/06/15/846195598/abdullah-ibrahim-south-africa-obituary
Abdullah Ibrahim, the South African jazz pianist deemed his country's equivalent to Mozart by Nelson Mandela, died Monday in his adopted home of Germany after a short illness. He was 91 years old.
"Abdullah passed away peacefully with South Africa and its people in his heart," his partner, Marina Umari, said in a statement. "His love for his country never wavered, no matter where in the world he found himself."
In an extraordinarily accomplished career that spanned eight decades, Ibrahim helped bring bebop stylings to South Africa, and he bonded with Duke Ellington, who produced one of his early, influential recordings. In his later years, he became an idol and an inspiration to new generations of jazz pianists.
- more at link above
"Abdullah passed away peacefully with South Africa and its people in his heart," his partner, Marina Umari, said in a statement. "His love for his country never wavered, no matter where in the world he found himself."
In an extraordinarily accomplished career that spanned eight decades, Ibrahim helped bring bebop stylings to South Africa, and he bonded with Duke Ellington, who produced one of his early, influential recordings. In his later years, he became an idol and an inspiration to new generations of jazz pianists.
- more at link above
Abdullah Ibrahim is one of my heroes, and I've loved his music for many years. I was fortunate to see him play live several times over the years in different configurations, joining other audience members who found his performances inspiring and deeply moving. (At one of his concerts in San Francisco a few years ago, I sat in a sold-out hall with a few hundred other lucky souls. People were sniffling and quietly weeping throughout the audience, and there were many red, moist eyes (including mine and my wife's!) at intermission.
This one gets me every time - "The Mountain," here with his band Ekaya:
Likewise "The Wedding":
Here's a piece representing his joyous side: "African Marketplace"
"How Improvisation Saved My Life":
See also DUer enough's post in Music Appreciation: https://www.democraticunderground.com/1034164456
