Dollar Brand is the former name of the South African pianist, composer, and bandleader Abdullah Ibrahim. A pioneering figure in global jazz, his music blends African rhythms, gospel, and American jazz into a deeply spiritual and distinctive sound. Rising to prominence in the 1960s, Ibrahim worked with legends such as Duke Ellington and played a central role in shaping Cape Jazz. His compositions, often reflective of his homeland’s struggles and triumphs, continue to inspire musicians and listeners worldwide.