Abdullah Ibrahim (born 1934, Cape Town, South Africa), formerly known as Ad… Read Full Bio ↴Abdullah Ibrahim (born 1934, Cape Town, South Africa), formerly known as Adolph Johannes Brand, and as Dollar Brand (from a popular brand of cigarettes), is a South African pianist and composer. His music reflects many of the musical influences of his childhood in the multicultural port areas of Cape Town, ranging from traditional African songs to the gospel of the AME Church and ragas, to more modern jazz and other Western styles. He first received piano lessons at the age of seven, was an avid consumer of jazz records brought by American sailors, and was playing jazz professionally by 1949. In 1959 and 1960, he played alongside Kippie Moeketsi with The Jazz Epistles in Sophiatown before joining the European tour of the musical King Kong.
In 1962 during a tour of Europe, Duke Ellington heard “The Dollar Brand Trio” playing in Zürich's “Africana Club”. As a result, a recording was set up with Reprise Records; “Duke Ellington presents The Dollar Brand Trio”. The Dollar Brand Trio (with Johnny Gertze on bass and Makaya Ntshoko on drums) subsequently played at many European festivals, as well as on radio and television.
He briefly returned to South Africa in the mid-1970s after his conversion to Islam (and the resultant change of name from Dollar Brand to Abdullah Ibrahim); however, he soon returned to New York in 1976, as he found the political conditions too oppressive. While in South Africa, however, he made a series of recordings with noted Cape Town jazz players (including Basil Coetzee and Robbie Jansen). This included Coetzee's masterpiece, "Mannenberg", acknowledged by most as one of South Africa's greatest musical compositions; the recording soon became an unofficial soundtrack to the anti-apartheid resistance.
Abdullah Ibrahim has written the soundtracks for a number of films, including the award winning Chocolat and, more recently, No Fear, No Die. Since the end of apartheid, he now lives in South Africa and divides his time between his global concert circuit, New York, and South Africa.
Abdullah Ibrahim is a towering figure in South African music, an artist who brings together all its traditions with a deeply felt understanding of American jazz, from the orchestral richness of Duke Ellington's compositions for big band to the groundbreaking innovations of Ornette Coleman and the 1960s avant-garde.
Ibrahim has worked as a solo performer, typically in mesmerising unbroken concerts that echo the unstoppable impetus of the old marabi performers. He also performs regularly with trios and quartets and larger orchestral units. Since his triumphant return to South Africa in the early 1990s, he has been feted with symphony orchestra performances, one of which was in honour of Nelson Mandela's installation as President. He has also founded a school for South African musicians in Cape Town.
With his wife, the jazz singer Sathima Bea Benjamin, he is father to the New York underground rapper Jean Grae, as well as to a son, Tsakwe.
In 1962 during a tour of Europe, Duke Ellington heard “The Dollar Brand Trio” playing in Zürich's “Africana Club”. As a result, a recording was set up with Reprise Records; “Duke Ellington presents The Dollar Brand Trio”. The Dollar Brand Trio (with Johnny Gertze on bass and Makaya Ntshoko on drums) subsequently played at many European festivals, as well as on radio and television.
He briefly returned to South Africa in the mid-1970s after his conversion to Islam (and the resultant change of name from Dollar Brand to Abdullah Ibrahim); however, he soon returned to New York in 1976, as he found the political conditions too oppressive. While in South Africa, however, he made a series of recordings with noted Cape Town jazz players (including Basil Coetzee and Robbie Jansen). This included Coetzee's masterpiece, "Mannenberg", acknowledged by most as one of South Africa's greatest musical compositions; the recording soon became an unofficial soundtrack to the anti-apartheid resistance.
Abdullah Ibrahim has written the soundtracks for a number of films, including the award winning Chocolat and, more recently, No Fear, No Die. Since the end of apartheid, he now lives in South Africa and divides his time between his global concert circuit, New York, and South Africa.
Abdullah Ibrahim is a towering figure in South African music, an artist who brings together all its traditions with a deeply felt understanding of American jazz, from the orchestral richness of Duke Ellington's compositions for big band to the groundbreaking innovations of Ornette Coleman and the 1960s avant-garde.
Ibrahim has worked as a solo performer, typically in mesmerising unbroken concerts that echo the unstoppable impetus of the old marabi performers. He also performs regularly with trios and quartets and larger orchestral units. Since his triumphant return to South Africa in the early 1990s, he has been feted with symphony orchestra performances, one of which was in honour of Nelson Mandela's installation as President. He has also founded a school for South African musicians in Cape Town.
With his wife, the jazz singer Sathima Bea Benjamin, he is father to the New York underground rapper Jean Grae, as well as to a son, Tsakwe.
Blues for a Hip King
Abdullah Ibrahim Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Blues for a Hip King' by these artists:
Hold your horses Bob I could be made believing that I have got something to…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Abdullah Ibrahim:
Blue Bolero العواطف عم تتشتت الحبُ عما يسترسل ملاگ النشل موجود . ف…
Blue Bolero (Fragment 2) العواطف عم تتشتت الحبُ عما يسترسل ملاگ النشل موجود . ف…
Come Sunday Ooh Lord, dear Lord above, God almighty, God of love, pleas…
Don't Blame Me Ever since the lucky night I found you I've hung around…
Guilty Though you've decided that our love is wrong And think that…
In a Sentimental Mood In A Sentimental Mood I can see the stars come…
Ntsikana's Bell Ueeeeee uaglio 'o Sfacimm d kittamuort Bella regaaaaa Saluta…
Solitude In my solitude You haunt me With dreadful ease Of days gone …
Tintinyana Berurier Noir Abracadaboum Ibrahim Ibrahim avec ses frère…
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@chumamngadi153
Been hearing this masterpiece by the Jazz Maestro himself since I was a toddler (played by my father). Pretty much been hearing it a lot since then. Today I’m a 22 year old jazz FREAK, and this piece of art sits neatly in my —carefully compiled— playlist of over 300 jazz favourites.
@elisiocss
keep listening jazz music!.... As the late great Frank Zappa said "jazz is not dead, it just smells funny"
@paulroberts5677
A lovely, melodic, deceptively simple tune that speaks straight to the soul. Non-agressive, life affirming, uplifting. This is a masterpiece. Thank you.
@charlescooler5680
One of my best musical memories is of a concert in New York, by Abdullah Ibrahim, still Dollar Brand then. It was snowing in Manhattan that night. That was 1978, my youth. So magnificent. This piece is one of his best. Soothes me always when I need it. Sounds like Basil Coetzee on sax.
@jamesbrodie13
One of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. Takes me back to my youth.
@juniormasilela2319
Sim esse e verdade minha mae e pae e Africana du sul. Mas esse musica muito bom mas eu sou brasileiro... The best of the best. Just saying i havnt been to Africa but this is the best ever written
@pete1729
You could say that about a lot Ibrahim's music.
@nelsonnkobe6447
This is a African master piece song
@itspeedstar2712
Last trip to Durban with my father we listened to this album , Now i miss him dearly when i hear this. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
@prophetngwane2174
Thanks to listen to mr Abdul, feel like I am on top of the world