The Colony was located in the luxurious Hyde Park Hotel, downtown Johannesburg. The nightclub was a famous hangout for the city’s well-heeled crowd who came to dine and dance. Musical entertainment consisted mainly of evergreens from around the world, sometimes local songs were included in the repertoire. A mixed bag really, something you can dance to or just listen to.
On this album ‘An Evening at the Colony’ from 1963, a live recording, Sam Sklair is being presented as a versatile musician, as he plays the clarinet, piano, saxophone, bass, flute and vibraphone. Furthermore, Sam is a proficient vocalist and almost as versatile in languages; he sings in Spanish, French, Italian, Greek and English.
Sam Sklair -An Evening at the Colony -Introduction
Sam Sklair -An Evening at the Colony -the Colony Cha Cha
Sam Sklair was born and educated in England and came to South Africa where his career took off as bandleader and composer for TV and the silver screen. See also POP goes the gumboot and Gumboot Dance vol 1 & 2
Sam Sklair -An Evening at the Colony -Torrero
Musicians on ‘An Evening at the Colony’
Leon Cohen -piano
Vic Hanson -drums
Steve Zachary/Nat Berg -vocal
Les Kelly -bass
Chris Du Toit/Jannie Fourie -Guitar
‘An Evening at the Colony’ Sam Sklair And His Music- Renown NLP 115 South Africa 1963
This is amazing! i wish you had posted the whole LP but this will have to do. Thank you!
This is a great album, found a copy at a charity shop. Love the cover too, wonder if there are any ‘colony’ promo posters still around?