Abdullah Ibrahim: Formerly known as Dollar Brand; changed his name when he converted to Islam.
South Africa’s most renowned jazz musician. Pianist and composer who has released numerous albums. He grew up in Cape Town and was involved in the South African 1950s jazz scene.
He released the anthemic “Mannenberg” in 1974.
He was strongly opposed to apartheid and spent two lengthy spells in self-imposed exile in the United States, on either side of a short period back in South Africa in the mid-1970s.
Cape-Town based tenor saxophonist who was born and grew up in District Six.
Performed and recorded with several top South African jazz musicians including Dollar Brand, Kippie Moeketsi, Pat Matshikiza, Lionel Beukes and Errol Dyers.
His most famous collaborations were with Dollar Brand, including his iconic saxophone contribution to ‘Mannenberg – Is Where It’s Happening” which led to his nickname, Basil “Mannenberg” Coetzee.
In 1978 he released the album Shrimp Boats, in collaboration with Barney Rachabane (alto saxophone), Charles Johnstone (bass), Sipho Gumede (bass), Gilbert Mathews (drums), Rod Clarke (drums, percussion) and Lionel Pillay (keyboards, piano).
In the mid-1970s to early 1980s period he was a member of Black Disco, Pacific Express and Movement In The City. In the mid-1980s he formed the group Sabenza with whom he recorded the album Sabenza (1987).
He also performed the saxophone solo on Bright’s Blue’s “Weeping (1987).
He released two subsequent solo albums, Monwabisi (1991) and B (1998).
He died in Mitchell’s Plain in March 1998.
