Cape Town’s music community will come together on 29 June 2026 to celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of the late Abdullah Ibrahim through a special memorial tribute concert at the Artscape Opera House.
Curated and led by musicians who knew, worked with, and were inspired by Ibrahim, the evening will honour one of South Africa’s most influential cultural figures. The acclaimed pianist, composer, poet, philosopher, and global jazz icon passed away on 15 June 2026 after an extraordinary career spanning more than eight decades.
Although tickets for the memorial concert have sold out, audiences around the world can still take part by watching the official livestream on Abdullah Ibrahim’s website.
The programme brings together an exceptional lineup of South African musicians, including Hilton Schilder, Mark Fransman, Blake Hellaby, Kirsten Skippers, Ramon Alexander, Nicolas Miso, Danel Murcott, Buddy Wells, Shaun Johannes, Dylan Tabisher, Duncan Johnson, Don Vino, Annemie Nel, Kevin Gibson, Joshua Nemaire, and Bradley Prince.
Throughout the evening, the artists will perform some of Ibrahim’s most celebrated compositions, including Mannenberg, The Wedding, Blues for a Hip King, and Water From an Ancient Well. The concert will also feature archival photographs, film footage, and poetry, creating a deeply personal reflection on Ibrahim’s remarkable life and artistic legacy.
Produced by Marlene Le Roux, Aki Khan, Sevi Spanoudi, Ramon Alexander, and Basil Appollis, the memorial is a community-led celebration of an artist whose music profoundly shaped South African jazz and inspired audiences across the world.
Those unable to attend in person can watch the memorial tribute live via abdullahibrahim.co.za
