Shihab’s back at Cape Town jazz festival

THIS year, the 20th anniversary of the Cape Town International

Jazz Festival, will not be the first time Ibrahim Khalil Shihab graces the stages of the International Convention Centre.

He last appeared at this festival on the Rosies stage in 2013.

Born Chris Schilder into one of Cape Town’s most famous musical families, Shihab changed his name when he converted to Islam in 1975.

He has, over the years, earned a solid reputation as one of South Africa’s foremost piano talents, though apartheid forced much of that work to take place outside the country.

He grew up watching his mother compose music and play piano in church and was greatly influenced by brothers Richard and Tony’s forays into the world of jazz.

He first started performing at 14 in Club Normandy in Rondebosch.

In 1968, he led an ensemble that included tenor saxophonist Winston Mankunku, Phillip Schilder on bass, Gary Kriel on guitar and Gilbert Matthews on drums to record one of the now most sought-after albums by music collectors, Spring.

Late last year, Shihab launched Essence of Spring, his recollections of the creation of that seminal

Spring album.

To many older fans, Shihab is most loved for his work with The Pacific Express. His arrival in the tight-knit band in 1975 took them into a jazzier direction. He composed many of their songs, including the soul ballad Give A Little Love.

After leaving The Pacific Express, he and drummer Monty Weber formed Concert Boulevard and he was also part of Workforce at the Village Pub in Maitland.

But, the need to make a living meant he spent more time playing outside South Africa.

Since his return in 1999, he has become a more familiar sight at the odd gig at local venues.

Catch Shihab on the Rosies stage at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival on March 30.