A pianist, composer, bandleader and visionary, Abdullah Ibrahim's contribution to South African music transcended genres, generations and borders.
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival says it is honoured to have hosted Abdullah Ibrahim’s final public performance, describing it as a defining moment in the late jazz legend’s extraordinary career.
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) has paid tribute to legendary South African pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim, following his death at the age of 91, The Cape Times reported.
The festival said it was deeply saddened by his passing and honoured to have formed part of the final chapter of his musical journey, after Ibrahim’s last public performance took place at CTIJF on the Rosies Stage on 27 March 2026.
According to the festival, the performance was a historic homecoming for the Cape Town-born musician, whose career was closely tied to the city that helped shape his musical identity. Ibrahim had previously performed at the festival in 2004 with the Abdullah Ibrahim Trio, in 2014 with Ekaya, and in 2019 with Ibrahim Khalil Shihab.
