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A gifted player, excellent on ballads and able to combine African rhythms and a jazz sensibility in a totally original manner. He began playing piano at seven, and was part of a superb group the Jazz Epistles with Hugh Masekela. This band made the first genuine South African jazz record in 1960. Brand, now known as Abdullah Ibrahim, left South Africa with his wife Sathima Bea Benjamin in 1962 and moved to Zurich. He met Duke Ellington there, who arranged a recording session with him in 1963 and then two years later sponsored an appearance by him at the Newport Jazz Festival. Brand played with Elvin Jones in 1966, toured Europe as a soloist and played in groups with such musicians as Don Cherry, Gato Barbieri and Johnny Gertze. He converted to Islam in 1968. After a return to South Africa and some extensive recording sessions in 1976, Ibrahim moved permanently to New York. He formed his septet Ekaya in 1983. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
