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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The Sound World of Music
New Age - Released by Charles Segal on Oct 26, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Do I Know You?
Lounge - Released by Charles Segal on Sep 23, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Feelings to Follow
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Nov 5, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Happy Valentine's Day
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Aug 4, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Both Sides of the Story
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Nov 6, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I Know You Still Love Me
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Feb 4, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
To My Dear Friend Rabbi David Rosen
World - Released by Charles Segal on Jul 7, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Dink Jy Darem Nog Aan My?
Germany - Released by The Gallo Record Company Vault on Oct 14, 1974
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Yesterday Once More
Pop - Released by The Gallo Record Company Vault on Jul 22, 1974
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Plays the Beatles - From Me to You
Lounge - Released by The Gallo Record Company Vault on Oct 5, 1964
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Piano Hits
Classical - Released by The Gallo Record Company Vault on Jan 28, 1974
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Opus Africa
Funk - Released by The Gallo Record Company Vault on Aug 24, 1970
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Moonlight Shining On Us
Lounge - Released by Charles Segal on Oct 6, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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I Love the Night
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Sep 14, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Technicalities
Classical - Released by Charles Segal on Jul 7, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
When Feelings Take Over
Lounge - Released by Charles Segal on Mar 10, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mixed Emotions Jazz
Jazz - Released by Charles Segal on Dec 10, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo