Abu Dhabi Classics season continues its diverse calendar of events with an unforgettable performance by jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim
The capital welcomed legendary South African pianist, Abdullah Ibrahim, to its shores last night for an unforgettable evening of virtuoso musical talent, entitled ‘African Landscapes’. Held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, the sell-out concert marked the second weekend of the highly-praised Abu Dhabi Classics winter season series which runs until May 2009.
Following on from the spectacular success of its inaugural weekend event in October, the evening’s entertainment continued with its world-class line-up of internationally-acclaimed musicians, showcasing Ibrahim’s unique jazz fusion style to an enthralled audience of music lovers.
Held on the terrace of the Emirates Palace hotel, the elegant locale set the tone for the evening’s musical experience. Supported by his six-piece band, Ekaya, Ibrahim took concert-goers on a journey across the continents, drawing on his repertoire of over 700 compositions, garnered from a 50-year career that has taken him from Africa to the Americas, and now Asia.
His addictive blend of African rhythm and classic Jazz tempo combined to produce a sound redolent of the rich landscape and deep cultural roots of his native South Africa, resulting in a thoroughly-deserved standing ovation at the end of the evening.
“I have been a long-time admirer of Ibrahim’s style and it was wonderful to see him perform here in Abu Dhabi,” commented Thomas Geary, Abu Dhabi resident, on the evening’s performance. “I attended last month’s gala opening event which was a phenomenal experience, and I applaud the work of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage in bringing such a stellar collection of international artists to the city.”
A friend of some of the world’s jazz greats including Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, Ibrahim’s love of performing live continues to this day, and his inexhaustible energy and passion was felt by all present, marking another success for the organisers of the Abu Dhabi Classics series.
Till Janczukowicz, Executive and Artistic Director for the Abu Dhabi Classics series, said: “With his artistic and human generosity, Abdullah Ibrahim stands for the integrated concept of the Abu Dhabi Classics: A world star performing a concert in the cultural heart of the region in the evening and bringing his message to schools and the young generation the next morning. That’s exactly the kind of cultural impact that we are looking for at the Abu Dhabi Classics.”
In addition to the enthusiastic multicultural audience, the event was attended by fellow music-lovers and dignitaries including the British Ambassador H.E. Edward Oakden and South African Ambassador H.E. Yacoob Abba Omar.
As part of the Abu Dhabi Classics education initiative, Ibrahim will also be visiting local schools in order to raise awareness of the power of jazz education and to encourage the Emirate’s children to pursue a love of music.
The series continues tonight with a one-off concert by the world’s best selling female classical artist, Cecilia Bartoli, who will hark back to the golden age of famous composers Rossini, Bellini and their contemporaries, with a performance entitled ‘Romantic Revolution’. Tickets are available at Virgin Megastores and can be purchased online at www.timeouttickets.com, or by calling the toll free number 800–4669.
Abu Dhabi Classics
An initiative of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, the Abu Dhabi Classics concert series runs until May 2009 and features an extraordinary line-up of world-class artists with monthly events held in exquisite settings across the Emirate.
In partnership with some of the world’s most distinguished music institutions, Abu Dhabi Classics is also initiating a number of innovative education programs, developed through close co-operation with schools, universities and other institutions that will take place under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Classics Academy. The Academy, representing an entire world surrounding the concerts, will build bridges between artists and audiences, between generations and between cultures.
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