Born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1934, this globally acclaimed pianist, composer, and 2019 NEA Jazz Master was known pro­fessionally as Dollar Brand in 1959 when he recorded the first South African jazz album, Verse One, with the Jazz Epistles. With the sponsorship of Duke Ellington, he released his American debut album in 1963 and performed at the 1965 Newport Jazz Festival. This Jazz Standard run will herald the Gearbox Records release of the leader’s new vinyl LP, The Balance – his first new album in four years. The lush horn lines, lilting melodies, and uplifting chord progressions are characteristic of Ibrahim’s singular township jazz, and the full–band tracks contrast with several crystalline solo piano improvisations. “With his soulful melodies and gently rolling township grooves, there are few musicians in jazz who can make you feel that essentially all is right in the world like Abdullah Ibrahim.” (The Times UK Online) Abdullah Ibrahim – piano Cleave Guyton Jr. – alto saxophone, clarinet, flute, piccolo Lance Bryant – tenor saxophone Andrae Murchison – trombone Marshall McDonald – baritone saxophone Noah Jackson – bass, cello Will Terrill – drums