Abdullah Ibrahim Trio

Berklee Performance Center

Sat. November 16, 8:00 PM

South African piano titan Abdullah Ibrahim makes his Celebrity Series debut after decades of performance, composition, and activism. The Cape Town of his youth provided a rich assortment of influences—from homegrown rhythms to Western themes—giving his music dynamic texture, depth, and diversity.

Ibrahim’s illustrious career has seen him perform alongside legends like Max Roach and Duke Ellington while creating his own indelible sound that reflects his country’s cultural abundance and resilience in the face of political oppression.

Now approaching his 90th birthday, Ibrahim continues to build on his legacy, creating new works with his trademark textures, rhythms, and melodies. Don’t miss the Series debut of a performer who transformed the landscape of jazz and uplifted the soul of a nation!

“One of the most lyrical of contemporary jazzmen… the atmosphere is more like a classical concert than a jazz event; throughout, the house keeps incredibly still, like it is hanging on every note and doesn’t want to miss a single one of them. ”
The Wall Street Journal

“The late-life performances of pianist Abdullah Ibrahim are a singular blend of career retrospective, meditation and in-the-moment jazz. Key influences are noted, South African roots are referenced, and the enduring power of the human spirit made clear. Experienced live, the unhurried pace of the music and his firm pianist’s touch conjure a devotional air. ”
The Financial Times