Charles Segal
A prolific South African pianist and composer, Charles Segal is recognized for his varied albums of children's music, jazz, and relaxing mood music. Emerging in the 1950s, he initially drew public attention with his popular English and Afrikaans music, as well as his work composing for the South African Broadcast Company. Along with many of his songs becoming standards in South Africa, Segal has garnered acclaim, including a 1973 South African Record Industry (SARI) award and a 2017 Guinness Book of World Records title as the Most Recorded Pianist in the world.
Born in 1929 in Joniškis, Lithuania, Segal was two years old when his Jewish family left the country to escape the Holocaust, settling in Cape Town, South Africa. Encouraged to study classical piano, Segal excelled, eventually graduating from the Trinity College of London with degrees in performance and teaching. As a performer, he first came to fame in 1952 when his composition "Miskien" (Afrikaans for "Perhaps") won a magazine songwriting competition. Buoyed by his success, he embarked on a lucrative performance and recording career, founding the Spin Record Company and established his own publication firm to promote his music. Along with releasing his own albums, he worked regularly for the South African Broadcast Company (SABC), performing on the radio and supplying the music for numerous productions, including "The Forsyte Saga," "Story of an African Farm," "The Saga of Prunella," and many others.
From 1969 to 1992, Segal's "Carousel" (co-written with Dorothy Arenson) was used as the theme song for the SABC's external service Radio RAS (Radio South Africa). Along the way, many of the pianist's songs gained popularity in South Africa, including recordings like "Africa," "Kwela, Kwela," "Die Ou Kalahari," "Sy Kom Van Kommetjie," "Kalkoenkie," and "Hy-Ba-Ba-Rie-Bab," among many others. He also garnered attention around the globe, composing songs for Arthur Prysock, Sheila Davis, and Ronnie Dove. In 1973, his song "My Children, My Wife" was named South African Song of the Year. As well as being a founding member of the Southern African Music Rights Organization (SAMRO) and the Drama and Literary Rights Organization (DALRO), he also started his highly regarded Charles Segal Music Schools in Pretoria and Cape Town.
Working with his wife, singer and actress Colleen Hay, Segal has composed a handful of musicals, including Magical Mystery Man, Rocky Road, Mystery Mansion, and Once Upon a Storyland. In the late '80s, the couple relocated to the United States, where they composed the musical Freedom! A Refusenik Story. Together, they have also published several music tutorial books. In 2018, they moved to Los Angeles, where Segal has remained active, performing at award shows such as the Oscars, Emmys, and the Kids Choice and Teen Choice Awards. In June 2017, Segal was awarded the Guinness Book of World Records title of the Most Recorded Pianist in the world, having recorded 11,721 tracks.
© Matt Collar /TiVo
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Swaying of the Leaves
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Jan 6, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
It's About You
Lounge - Released by Charles Segal on Dec 23, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jamming and Jazzing
Lounge - Released by Charles Segal on Dec 11, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Improvisation Demonstration
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Oct 9, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
How Could You?
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Oct 13, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Leaves Are Falling
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Jan 6, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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In the Limelight
Lounge - Released by Charles Segal on Dec 2, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sunshine Bossa Nova
Jazz - Released by Charles Segal on Nov 17, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Opening New Horizons
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Oct 20, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Piano Surrounded By Goodies
Lounge - Released by Charles Segal on Oct 12, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Champagne and Roses
Lounge - Released by Charles Segal on Feb 8, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wishes Do Come True
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Jul 9, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Working Out Our Situation
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Mar 18, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Coughin' Song
Humour - Released by Charles Segal on Aug 31, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sound Thoughts
Lounge - Released by Charles Segal on Jan 21, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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You Left Me At Midnight
Jazz - Released by Charles Segal on Jul 26, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Birds Sing My Song
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Aug 24, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo