Discovered by Duke Ellington in Europe in 1963, pianist/composer Abdullah Ibrahim returned to his homeland in 1968 and became the recognized dean of South African jazz. In the mid-70s he began a fourteen-year exile, during which time his passionate compositions boomed like anthems from the sound systems of the black townships of Capetown, Johannesburg, Durban and Pretoria. He returned their again after liberation and now not only performs but participates in the development of his nation's music education. An eloquent spokesman and deeply religious, Mr. Ibrahim's beliefs and experiences are reflected in the stately and richly contemplative nature of his music. His most recent Boston appearance was at the Real Deal in 2004, where Real's resonant acoustics provided a non-pareil venue for his burnished timbres. He returns to celebrate his new (and as yet untitled) CD.