Donald Helme pays tribute to the wonderful South African pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim, who died in June 2026 at the age of 91.
Known earlier in his career as Dollar Brand, Ibrahim created a musical voice rooted in the rhythms, melodies and cultural life of South Africa. His music reached audiences around the world while retaining a profound connection to home.
Opening with a live performance of “Zimbabwe”, Donald explores a selection spanning several decades, including “Little Boy”, “Mannenberg”, “Calypso Minor” and recordings from Cape Town Revisited. Along the way, this episode offers an opportunity to listen more closely to the South African jazz traditions that shaped Ibrahim’s music and remained at the heart of his remarkable career.
Track list for The Hot Box #155 – Abdullah Ibrahim
- Zimbabwe (Live) – from the Album: South Africa (1983)
- Little Boy – from the Album: Black Lightning (1976)
- Mannenberg – from the Album: Mannenberg – “Is Where It’s Happening” (1974)
- Calypso Minor – from the Album: Sotho Blue (2010)
- Damara Blue – from the Album: Cape Town Revisited (1997)
- Someday Soon Sweet Samba – from the Album: Cape Town Revisited (1997)
- Blues for a Hip King – from the Album: Blues for a Hip King (1976)
- African Marketplace – from the Album: Cape Town Flowers (1996)
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:41 — 57.4MB)