The source of the giant, South African-born pianist/composer Abdullah Ibrahim’s genius is his orchestral piano style, derived from the ducal sound of his mentor/discoverer, Duke Ellington. So it’s only fitting that Bombella, Ibrahim’s follow-up to his 2008 Sunnyside/ Intuition debut, Senzo, showcases Ibrahim’s powerful pianism with the world-acclaimed WDR Big Band Cologne, recorded live in March/April of 2008 in Germany, performing a well programmed potpourri of selections from the leader’s dancing and diverse catalog.
Of the nearly four dozen titles under his own name, Abdullah Ibrahim’s most accomplished recordings include: African Piano (1969, JAPO/ECM), African Sketchbook (1973, Enja), Good News From Africa and Echoes From Africa (with Johnny Dyani, 1973, 1979, Enja); At Montreux, (1980, Enja), Zimbabwe (1983 (2003,Enja/Justin Time) and Senzo, (2008, Sunnyside/Intuition).
With Bombella, Abdullah Ibrahim continues to give the world his singular and sensuous and swinging art that sings and swings from the Motherland to Birdland. |