National Youth Orchestra presents Abdullah Ibrahim Tribute

About the show

The National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) present their new project celebrating the legacy of Abdullah Ibrahim and the sounds of South African township jazz. 

Township Jazz became a unique and powerful mix of traditional African rhythms, gospel harmonies, and the big-band energy of swing and bebop. It was both a celebration of cultural resilience and a protest against oppression, reflecting the struggles and hopes of Black South Africans.? 

Abdullah Ibrahim’s music embodies both joy and protest, blending Township Jazz with global influences. His compositions, like the iconic ‘Mannenberg’, became anthems of resilience, unity, and liberation during the anti-apartheid struggle. 

His legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians worldwide, including many of the Emerging Professionals that form NYJO today.