Abdullah Ibrahim

This composer and pianist come from South Africa and first piano lessons received at the age of seven. His music reflects many of the musical influences of his childhood, ranging from traditional African songs to the gospel of the AME Church and ragas, to more modern jazz and other Western styles, his music also reflects the influence of Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington. He plays piano but also plays flute, saxophone, and cello.
Ibrahim has worked as a solo performer, and he also performs regularly with trios and quartets and larger orchestral units. He also founded the "M7" academy for South African musicians in Cape Town, and was the initiator of the Cape Town Jazz Orchestra. He mainly toured in Europe, the United States and South Africa and performances are mostly in concertos and clubs.