Peter Salovey President | Yale University
Peter Salovey President | Yale University
The Oral History of American Music (OHAM) collection at Yale Library has expanded with the addition of an audio interview featuring Abdullah Ibrahim, a prominent pianist and composer. The Major Figures in American Music Collection, a key component of OHAM, includes over 1,700 recorded interviews with distinguished composers and musicians from 1970 to the present.
Abdullah Ibrahim, originally from Cape Town, South Africa, is celebrated for his contributions to music that blend American jazz with traditional African folk songs, bebop, and gospel music. In recognition of his impact on jazz music, he was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master in 2018.
The interview was conducted by Gregg Bendian, a composer and percussionist known for hosting "The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian." Bendian has interviewed numerous artists visiting OHAM.
During his visit to New Haven, Ibrahim performed alongside flutist Cleave Guyton and bassist Noah Jackson at the Shubert Theatre. This event was co-sponsored by Yale Schwarzman Center.
Ibrahim's interview is accessible through OHAM’s Aviary platform. Many other interviews in the OHAM collection are also available for streaming online via Aviary. Information on accessing these interviews can be found under the "Accessing OHAM" tab in the collection guide.
—Deborah Cannarella
Photo by Judy Sirota Rosenthal
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