One of South Africa’s greatest jazz icons, Abdullah Ibrahim, returns home to South Africa after a five-year absence to grace us with a series of landmark events this April.
The limited events will include a highlight in Cape Town, where he first professionally performed at the tender age of 16 at the iconic City Hall.
Also read: Stellar line-up announced for Journey to Jazz festival
‘To be launching my M7 Foundation in Johannesburg, playing concerts in Pretoria’s new state-of-the-art arena and uniquely returning to performing inside City Hall – an illustrious venue I first played at aged 16 for a segregated audience – is something that at one time was unimaginable,’ said the legendary Abdullah Ibrahim.
‘I am honoured and thrilled to have the opportunity.’
Over the course of his career, Abdullah Ibrahim has performed with the greatest names to ever emerge from South Africa’s legendary jazz scene, including his work with Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Jonas Gwangwa, Kippie Moeketsi and many more.
‘As I embrace my 90th year, I am delighted to be undertaking these concerts… for me, they are a deeply personal dream – envisaged first many years ago,’ said Ibrahim.
‘Perhaps when as a free South African I bought land, or perhaps so many years before that when I was forced to exile? But certainly, I was thrown into sharp relief during the Covid pandemic, when I wondered if, or when, I would see “home” again,’ he added.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Let these amazing offers inspire you. Get them here.
Recently, Abdullah Ibrahim released his latest album, entitled 3, which is a recording of two sets from London’s Barbican Hall. Cleave Guyton Jr (on flute and piccolo) and Noah Jackson (on bass and cello) make up the trio and are featured on both sets with Ibrahim.
The album also includes the much-loved tracks ‘Nisa’, ‘Barakatand’ many more and comprises both the London performances.
The concerts in South Africa form part of a world tour for Abdullah Ibrahim as he performs across the globe, visiting cities and cultures that, in their time, were pivotal in his exiled life.
Event dates:
- 12 April – Cape Town, City Hall
- 14 April – Gauteng, SunBet Arena at Time Square (Menlyn)
Tickets range from R750 to R2 000 and are available on ticketpro.
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under R100 000. Find car listings here.
Also read:
Zakes Bantwini to debut at Galaxy KDay 2024 at Meerendal Wine Estate
Picture: Supplied