Abdullah Ibrahim, born Adolph Johannes Brand on October 9, 1934, in Cape Town, South Africa, is a renowned pianist and composer. Known initially as Dollar Brand, Ibrahim's music is a rich tapestry of influences from his multicultural upbringing in Cape Town, blending traditional African songs, gospel, ragas, and jazz. He is a pivotal figure in Cape jazz and is especially recognized for his piece "Mannenberg," which became an anti-apartheid anthem.

Ibrahim's early career was marked by his involvement with the Jazz Epistles, a groundbreaking South African jazz group that included notable musicians like Hugh Masekela and Jonas Gwangwa. The group recorded the first full-length jazz LP by Black South African musicians in 1960. Following the Sharpeville massacre and increased repression from the apartheid government, Ibrahim moved to Europe in 1962 and later to New York City.

In New York, Ibrahim's career flourished as he collaborated with jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, Max Roach, and Randy Weston. He converted to Islam in 1968, adopting the name Abdullah Ibrahim, and continued to tour internationally, promoting his unique blend of jazz infused with African rhythms.

Ibrahim married jazz singer Sathima Bea Benjamin in 1965, with whom he had two children, including the rapper Jean Grae. His contributions to music have made him a distinguished figure in the jazz world, celebrated for his innovative style and commitment to cultural and political expression through music.