His music is like magic. In recent years, pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim has often performed solo. The musician then likes to wander through the stages of his life on the keys - without stopping in between. 90-year-old Abdullah Ibrahim is one of South Africa's most influential voices. His music became the soundtrack to the resistance against apartheid and accompanied Nelson Mandela's fight for freedom: he played at his inauguration in 1994. Abdullah Ibrahim started his career as Dollar Brand, founded his own bands and played with musicians such as Hugh Masekela before leaving South Africa for Europe and the USA in the 1960s. His music is characterised by jazz greats such as Duke Ellington and John Coltrane, as well as dance music and religious hymns from the South African townships. Abdullah Ibrahim is one of the best-known musicians from Africa.

 

Photo Peter Rauch