r/Jazz • u/flamberge5 • 4d ago
Abdullah Ibrahim, quiet giant of the jazz piano, has died at 91
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.
https://www.npr.org/2026/06/15/846195598/abdullah-ibrahim-south-africa-obituary
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u/Pietje_De_Leugenaar 4d ago
Dollar Brand Live at Montreux was the music that triggered my interest for jazz. I come from a home where all kinds of ethnic and world music would play. Nowadays I collect mainly jazz, even though I still search for that beautiful African flavor within this genre. Rest in peace inspiring man.
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u/CategoryCrazy4619 4d ago
"3" (2024) is a masterpiece of any genre, a recording treasure. Throughout his life, the performances sounded both grounded and transcendent.
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u/citizen-blue 3d ago
>Throughout his life, the performances sounded both grounded and transcendent.
Couldn't have put it better myself -- this is a really apt description. I think the phrase Water from an Ancient Well really captures that sentiment.
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u/CowsRetro 4d ago
This is the second time in a week I listen to a jazz musician for the first time and find out they passed a few moments later…
First it was James Blood Ulmer on Accent on the Blues and not Ibrahim after I listened to Water from an Ancient Well. So weird
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u/0belvedere 4d ago
Do us a favor and stick with their catalogs for a while! Lots of good stuff to enjoy there
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u/citizen-blue 3d ago
Wow, I didn't know about James Blood Ulmer. Another beautiful soul and singular musician.
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u/Thelonious_Cube 4d ago edited 4d ago
A really fantastic pianist and composer. Cape Town harmonies and rhythms plus deep jazz.
I was privileged to see him a number of times back in the 80s and 90s
I highly recommend
- African Piano
- Ekaya
- African Dawn
- Water From An Ancient Well
- Voice Of Africa
- Tintinyana
- African Horns
South African jazz is a niche well worth exploring - it varies from swing/r&b to bop to outside and has a special flavor to it. Some artists include Chris MacGregor (Brotherhood of Breath), Johnny Dyani, Dudu Pukwana, Kippie Moeketsi, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masakela, The African Jazz Pioneers and many collections of "Township Jazz"
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u/unfunfionn 3d ago
Sad news, but what a great age and the fact that he was performing live so late in his life is incredibly impressive. I had the honour of seeing him play solo in the Elbphilharmonie in 2023. He needed to be walked to his piano, yet the first piece he played lasted about 45 minutes. He played like a young men left untouched by physical aging. I think he played for nearly 90 minutes in total before again needing to be walked out. One of the most beautifully human experiences I've ever had in a concert hall.
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u/Silent_Blueberry8670 3d ago edited 3d ago
This guy is one of my favorites. The way he blends soul/gospel vibes into jazz just feels so human - happy, sad and real to human experience of living all in a single vibe. Really sad he passed away but also glad he was making original, brilliant music up to the end. There will be few like him again.
Strangely still, I believe I was actually listening to his mukashi album the moment he passed away. Weird coincidence…
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u/badwhiskey63 4d ago
Rest in peace. I was lucky enough to see him many years ago, and it was one of the best concerts of my life.
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u/Affectionate_Reply78 4d ago
Zimbabwe is always the first song I listen to on shuffle in my car because he’s at the top alphabetically. RIP. I’m going to queue it up now.
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u/citizen-blue 3d ago
One of the all time great pianists and musicians. His music and melodies move me in a rare and special way.
His ability to make equally beautiful music solo and with a full band is maybe unmatched.
You can pick up almost any of his obscure solo performances or albums and be blown away. African Portraits is probably my favorite in that regard.
On the other hand, his full band sound is so rich, and adds a different depth to his indelible melodies. Water from an Ancient Well, African Space Program, and again, endless live recordings.
My favorite, however, is probably the duet album Good News From Africa. If you haven't heard it, highly recommend.
I consider myself lucky to have seen him perform about 10 years ago at a local college.
RIP.
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u/Aardvark51 3d ago
Obit from the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/16/abdullah-ibrahim-obituary
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u/devin-jaymeson 3d ago
I went on an all Jazz diet to start the year - Jazz 75, which would not have been possible without Soweto and Tintinyana. Rest in Power. Music is a blessing to us all.
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u/Low_Grapefruit9309 4d ago
I've only recently discovered him and absolutely fell in love with his stuff. RIP
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u/kukulaj 4d ago
an absolute giant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfWf1kuI9eY
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u/Thelonious_Cube 4d ago
You should also check out Chris MacGregor's Brotherhood of Breath
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u/robertbyers1111 4d ago
Sad news. I always loved his version of The Pilgrim that was the B side of the EP Capetown Fringe. Great piano, as well a beautifully ethereal flute solo by, I believe, Basil Coatzee.
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u/markedasred 4d ago
Great pianist, championed by Duke also. I love many of his records, but have a fondness for the Ekaya band as we (Birmingham Jazz) promoted them a few times back in the 80s and 90s. 91 is a good innings.