Venue:
Adelaide Town Hall, South Australia
Date: 10/03/2015
This was just sublime. The first hour was a continuous succession of improvisations, he’d play a melody or a theme and then rather than take off an extended virtuosic solo he gently explored the ideas in the piece, sometimes setting up a rhythmic groove, sometimes exploring the chord progression. It was all very gentle, meditative but never dull or boring, indeed it was the opposite – endlessly interesting, the sound of a master musician who knows exactly what he’s doing and how to do it. After that first hour there was another twenty minute piece, not quite so inventive, and that was it.
He didn’t speak a word to the audience, and had a folio of music on the piano which I suppose was a reminder of the pieces he wanted to play.
As a footnote, I’d organised to go this gig several months ago – had to leave a rehearsal half an hour early to get to the airport, fortunately the plane was on time but I was 3 minutes late and had to sit in the dress circle, which was OK. I fell over running across the road rushing to get there, bruised my knee and hand and so sat in horrible smarting pain for the first half hour or so – concentrating on the music helped!
The audience:
Appreciative, mainly grey hairs like me, yer festival audience, but a fair smattering of twenty/thirty-somethings.
It made me think..
I want to play like this!
Vulpes Vulpes says
Great review. I really only discovered this chap a couple of months back, and invested in some CDs as a result – what a find! Would love to hear him play.
Junior Wells says
That’s the concert Mousey. Saw him solo a few years ago at Womad in the sweltering afternoon sun. Another time with a quartet at Bennett’s Lane.
Foxy – recommend African marketplace – think it has his signature tune Mannenburg . There are some solo piano ones and some excellent ones with quiet chanting and innovative percussion,
Vulpes Vulpes says
Thankyou – I’ve ordered the Marketplace album – and a few others. I keep doing this – I stumble on someone, buy one or two and like them, then discover I haven’t even tapped the artist’s motherlode and get a couple more…..
Feedback_File says
Seeing that name on the thread took me back many a year. A good friend of mine introduced me to so much way out music back in the late 70s early 80s including world music (before the term was invented) but in the main modern and free jazz – seeing Sun Ra live remains one of the most extraordinary gigs Ive ever seen.
Abdullah Ibrahim (fka Dollar Brand) is a wonderful pianist who mixes pure jazz with township themes and styles- for those interested in exploring try ‘African Piano’ or ‘Zimbabwe’. Anorak fact – I believe he is the only pianist to have substituted for Duke Ellington in his orchestra !
duco01 says
Yes, Ibrahim played in Uppsala a couple of years ago, and I missed him. Pity.
I’ve got “Water from and Ancient Well” and “Senzo”, which are really nice. And I keep meaning to buy “Yarona”, which is supposed to be a bit of a classic.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Yeah, you too. I may not be able to afford a holiday this year now. Please!
bigstevie says
My son started playing saxophone about 8 years ago. After a year or so, his teacher started him on jazz. He had to play ‘The Wedding’ as part of one of his exams. My wife cried every time he played it.
Alias says
Dollar Brand is unique in my record collection because he is the only artist I have 3 double LPs by, Blues For A Hip King, Voice Of Africa and Tintinyana all of which are highly recommended. I was disappointed the two times I saw him live but always consider going to see him live simply because the quality of his best recorded output is so high.
Junior Wells says
Said nothing to the audience -don’t think I’ve ever heard him say anything. He was interviewed on ABC radio and gave yes/no answers. You can get through your questions pretty quick with responses like that.