South African jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim dies aged 91

South African jazz composer and pianist Abdullah Ibrahim has died at the age of 91. His partner, Dr Marina Umari, announced his death in a statement, saying he "passed away peacefully with South Africa and its people in his heart." Ibrahim died in Germany after a short illness.

Born in Cape Town, Ibrahim made his professional debut at 15, though he said he started composing at age seven. He became known in local jazz circles in the 1950s before recording an album with the Jazz Epistles in 1960. "Jazz Epistle Verse One" was the first full-length jazz LP by Black South African musicians. Though their music was not explicitly political, they were still targeted by the government.

Ibrahim moved to Europe in the 1960s, where he met Duke Ellington and recorded with him before moving to New York in 1965. He performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, embarked on a solo tour, and occasionally substituted for Ellington. He recorded more than 70 albums over his career, with the most recent released in 2023.

His best-known piece, "Mannenberg," recorded in 1974, became a major anti-apartheid anthem and reportedly inspired Nelson Mandela during his imprisonment. Ibrahim also composed soundtracks for films including Claire Denis' "No Fear, No Die" and "Chocolat."

He won several awards, including the German Jazz Trophy and a South African music lifetime achievement award. Guardian critic John Fordham wrote that Ibrahim had "written some of the most vividly beautiful themes to emerge from his culture's special chemistry of African vocalised phrasing." His final solo performance was at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in March.