Brian Abrahams

Brian Abrahams (born 26 June 1947 in Cape Town, South Africa) is a jazz drummer and vocalist who started out working as a singer with local bands in South Africa. In the 1970s. Abrahams participated in a gig in Swaziland as drummer for Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson. In 1975 he moved to the United Kingdom, where he gained his recognition. Abrahams has worked with groups and artists such as Abdullah Ibrahim, Dudu Pukwana, Ronnie Scott, John Taylor, Johnny Dyani, Brotherhood of Breath, Jim Pepper, Dewey Redman, Mal Waldron, Archie Shepp, and Courtney Pine. During the 1980s Abrahams founded his own group, District Six. In 1988 he joined the band Ekaya, which was founded by Abdullah Ibrahim. More recently he has been working in projects led by Tony Haynes.Brian has recently re-formed District 6 in Melbourne 2009 Australia, first performance at Dizzys Jazz club. Players are: Tony Hicks ts, John McAll pno, Zvi Belling bs, Cameron McAlister tpt, Brian Abrahams drs District 6 performed at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival 1–2 November 2009. Brian currently performs in Melbourne venues and is a tutor for aspiring jazz students at the Australian Jazz Museum.