Abdullah Ibrahim Trio

The great Nelson Mandela described Cape Town-born piano legend and 2019 NEA Jazz Master Abdullah Ibrahim as “South Africa’s Mozart.” A performer, composer and outspoken chronicler of South Africa’s struggle with apartheid, Ibrahim became an international figure in jazz, whose music has always been a mixtures of influences from jazz and classical to gospel and traditional African music. His international career was jumpstarted by the great Duke Ellington, who saw the young pianist at a performance in Zurich and was instrumental in helping him secure a recording contract. Ellington remained a mentor to Ibrahim, who substituted for Ellington on a number of concert dates in 1965, leading the legendary composer’s orchestra. Since his auspicious beginnings, a staggering 50-album career followed, finding Ibrahim recording in settings ranging from solo to orchestral music and soundtrack work.