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Abdullah Ibrahim at Yoshi’s (December 2001)
by Harry S. Pariser

Seeing pianist Abdullah Ibrahim in concert is an absorbing experience. His playing encompasses a multitude of range and tonalities. Some lines are delicate, like waves washing up on a beachside cliff. Others conjure up an immense wall of sound--aural crystal cathedrals and rhythmic staircases. He builds layer on layer, constructing a polyrhythmic structure on top of a basic foundation. At times a one-man instrumental chorale, at other times a full orchestra, his lyrical playing is both rhythmic and percussive. The songs often seem like poignant and short stories set to sound, and the compositions flow into one another. Indeed, for his first set, Ibrahim played for a solid nonstop hour and fifteen minutes before bass player Beldon Bullock soloed. The first set included Billy Strayhorn’s A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing, Excursions, Blue Bolero, Anisa, Duke 88, Joan, Capetown Flower, In a Sentimental Mood, the Wedding, and other compositions.

The gospel and blues elements in Ibrahim’s playing are clearly evident. And for good reason. Ibrahim grew up in Capetown, South Africa where his grandmother was the pianist and his mother led the choir for the local A.M.E. Church. Entering life as Adolphes Johnnes Brand, he began playing the piano at seven and was soon exposed to the likes of Fats Waller. Capetown itself was a melting pot of styles: tribal music, Chinese, Indian and Islamic music was present, along with American pop and R&B. In 1962, he embarked on a three-decade exile which took him to Europe, the US, and Swaziland. After hearing him play in Switzerland, Duke Ellington invited him to record for his Reprise Records. This was the first of his sixty plus recordings. At that time he was known as Dollar Brand, so dubbed because, as a young man in Capetown, he would always carry a dollar in his pocket in the event that he might meet a Black American sailor who could sell him a jazz 78. He received the name Abdullah Ibrahmin after converting to Islam in 1968. Since then, in addition to some amazing projects (such as the classic African Space Program recording), he has also recorded several soundtracks for films by the French director Claire Denis and earned a black belt in karate.

Greeting the audience after the intense first set with a “Salaam,” he announced that two members of the audience had donated some musical instruments for his South African music school, the M7 Academy. Rickey Samuel or Oakland (510-465-0648; mrrsamuel@yahoo.com) has established the Ubuntu South African Society which made the donations. Contact him if you have instruments to donate.

Abdullah was supported by an able rhythm section. Born in Capetown, South Africa, drummer Sipho Kunene is known for his work with Hugh Masakela and Three Mo’ Tenors. Bassist Beldon Bullock has played with the likes of saxophonist Oliver Lake and pianist Geri Allen.

There is an Android version and an iTunes version.

St. John Visitors:

Please check out Explore St. John, our new travel app to St. John, which supplies comprehensive information (useful for residents and visitors alike) along with pictures, maps and links to hundreds of videos and relevant websites.

iPhone/iPad/iPodTouch version

Android version

	Web www.savethemanatee.com