Artist - Biography/Profile

Cape Jazz pianist and composer, Tony Schilder, was born in 1937 to a well known Jazz Family in retreat.  His parents, brothers and children are all musicians of some sort.

This musical genius’s gene pool is a result of the hybrid of two talented musical families, the Schilder and Africa clans.
Tony grew up on the Cape Flats in a family of 14 children which included 4 step sisters.

His brother Chris is also brilliant composer and was a key member of the successful jazz rock group Pacific Express.

Being a completely self taught musician and having never taken a single lesson in his life, all Tony’s compositions and everything he’s ever played is completely from memory.
His mother was into jazz and his father a classical music fan which indicates his influences from both of these genres.

At the age of 5 he discovered the piano and by the time he was 6 he was already playing for parties. He had to wait in line to take turns at the piano at home as most of the family members were musicians.

The entertainment bug had fully manifested itself when he got his first professional gig at a roller skating rink in Wynberg when he was 11 years old.

Whilst growing up he was exposed to the music of Errol Garner and Oscar Petersen and draws his inspiration from these two Jazz maestros of the piano.

At a time when the political climate in this country was in turmoil, he opposed the regime but as a musician under apartheid he faced challenges which concerned the welfare of his family and had to be careful not to be too outspoken for fear of being detained.
His son, Hilton, became very much an activist and expressed this in his music with indigenous and controversial sounds.

Some of Tony Schilder’s musical landmarks include his debut vinyl [LP] in the early 80’s called Introducing the music of Tony Schilder, which was produced by Jonathan Butler.
This was later re-released on CD and spawned the “anthem” Montreal.
Another significant production is a live recording at The Baxter as a guest with Morris Goldberg in 1982 called Jazz in Transit.

His latest offering is called B Positive and also features his son Hilton.
The title track which is his blood group is a song he penned in hospital after undergoing surgery a few years ago.

Last year he became seriously ill again and was rushed to hospital upon where an emergency life saving operation had to be performed.
 
The medical costs came to a staggering R195 000 and being an inactive musician Tony had no income to pay for this exorbitant bill.
Royalty payments were few and far between and the little life savings he and his spouse had accumulated had to be accessed and emptied to pay for the operation but was not nearly enough.
 
A fundraising drive including a benefit concert and pledges helped to pay a portion of the costs but still fell short of the total amount which is currently outstanding.
 
To date Tony has not recovered fully and will probably not be able to play again as his age and state of health counts against him.
Being a musician he does not receive a pension from the state as the conventional workforce does.
 
His wife, Val, who herself suffers from arthritis is forced to help where she can because of the lack of funds, but also needs medical assistance herself due to her ailment.
They are both senior citizens and he requires physiotherapy and constant frail care.
 
Impressions of Tony Project - (CD/DVD)
In a working partnership The Western Cape Musicians Association and CJ Records plans are imminent to produce an album of Tony's songs recorded by contemporary artists and bands as well as a documentary film of his life including some rare footage to be released as a DVD/CD Combo later this year.
 
This project is more than just a tribute to this phenomenal contributor to the heritage and musical landscape of this colorful country.

Proceeds from the sales of the CD and DVD will be administered via our benevolent account that will sustain the family’s daily needs and pay for all outstanding and immediate medical bills.


Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information

William Rezant
(General Manager)
Land line: 021 421 7643
Mobile: 0733 990244