Original sentence: Abdullah Ibrahim is a towering figure in South African music, an artist who brings together all its traditions with a deeply felt understanding of American jazz, from the orchestral richness of Duke Ellington's compositions for big band to the groundbreaking innovations of Ornette Coleman and the 1960s avant-garde.His playing and band leading remain inspired, challenging and gracious, retaining the elements of joy and purpose which run through his extraordinary career.In June 2009 he has a week-long engagement at the Jazz Standard in New York, the first three nights solo, and the weekend with a full group which he calls Ekaya