South African jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim dies aged 91

The South African jazz composer and pianist Abdullah Ibrahim has died at the age of 91. His family announced his death in a statement released on Monday. His partner, Dr Marina Umari, wrote, "Abdullah passed away peacefully with South Africa and its people in his heart." She added, "His love for his country never wavered, no matter where in the world he found himself." He died in Germany after a short illness.

Born in Cape Town, Ibrahim said he started composing at seven and made his professional debut at 15. He became known in local jazz circles in the 1950s and in 1960 recorded an album with the Jazz Epistles; Jazz Epistle Verse One was the first full-length jazz LP by Black South African musicians.

Their music was not explicitly political, but they were still targeted by the government. Ibrahim moved to Europe in the 1960s, where he met Duke Ellington and went on to record with him before moving to New York in 1965.

South Africa, Cape Town

abdullah ibrahim, death, south africa, jazz pianist, jazz composer, cape town, jazz epistles, duke ellington, new york, germany