Abdullah Ibrahim - Solo Piano Recital @ Sage Gateshead. November 19.

(Review by Steve H.)

In terms of purity of sound, this piano recital by the legendary South African Abdullah Ibrahim was possibly the best I have ever experienced. The vast stage of Hall 1 was laid bare aside from the ceentrally positioned grand piano. With  not even a microphone in sight it doesn’t get more acoustic than this.

Over the last 30 years have I have seen Abdullah Ibrahim in every possible grouping from solo artist to dectet each combination providing its own unique performance. Wednesday evening's concert took the form of a mesmerising solo performance from the youthful Octogenarian pianist. 
Ibrahim performed a single,, unbroken, set combining   African rhythm’s and melodies seamlessly with those from more western orientated jazz. The concert ebbed and flowed as the audience surfed the giant musical wave featuring many of the master’s most familiar tunes. At times one could find oneself drifting away in a dreamy state only to be brought back to full consciousness by a single non amplified note which resonated throughout the entire concert hall. At the end of the set Ibrahim simply lifted his hands from the keyboard as the last notes echoed sublimely from the unattended piano. He then made his way to the front of the stage and graciously returned the audience’s rapturous applause. We were then treated to a twenty minute encore. At its conclusion the applause rang out once more many people now on their feet. Although the great man remained silent a connection seemed to have been made with those in the hall. As ‘The Sage’ of Sage Gateshead shuffled off the stage I felt privileged to be part of such a spiritual evening.      

Steve H.