A Stop Motion Animation called Flower. I created this video to show my piano students how to combine a video with music. Creating Stop Motion Animations and Time Lapse Videos are great fun, and an excellent way to give students a practical avenue for their creativity. I like to do projects with students, so they can learn to think for themselves and enjoy the satisfaction of completing something they have personally made. A music keyboard and a camera can inspire a world of adventure.
Here is a video of a beautiful and moving performance of “Cape Town Flower” recorded at the Lugano Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1999. The trio playing here is one of Abdullah´s best ensembles ever. Abdullah Ibrahim is one of my favorite composers and pianists. His music is rich, innovative, and lovely to listen to. His style of playing includes many varied elements from Jazz and Blues Piano.
Abdullah Ibrahim was born in 1932 in Cape Town, South Africa. Ibrahim is a pianist and composer. His music reflects multicultural influences from his childhood. You can discern elements of Traditional African songs, Gospel, Church, Blues, Indian Ragas, and Contemporary Jazz. Some Jazz musicians influencing his music are Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington.
Abdullah Ibrahim first took piano lessons at age seven. He was an avid listener of American Jazz records, brought to Cape Town by sailors. He began playing piano professionally in 1949. In 1962 he moved to Europe. Ibrahim has recorded many albums and has made his mark in the global Jazz community. His contribution to the Jazz curriculum has been prolific.
Here in Portland, when my piano students ask me to suggest some Jazz musicians to listen to, Abdullah Ibrahim is on the short list. His playing transcends the traditional western style of Jazz, with a fresh and eclectic feel.
Discography (partial)
1960: Jazz Epistle Verse 1
1964: Duke Ellington presents The Dollar Brand Trio
1965: The Dream
1965: Anatomy of a South African Village (Black Lion Records)
1965: This is Dollar Brand (Black Lion)
1969: African Sketchbook
1969: African Piano
1973: Good News from Africa
1973: African Space Program