Welcome to my AUTHOR PAGE 

Hi there, to all you lovers and creators of books, novels, music and the arts.  

I AM CURRENTLY INTERESTED IN AN EARNING EXTRA INCOME AS A VOICE OVER ARTIST.  

 I’ve had a lifetime of music, playing, singing and composing. I’ve also been involved in many creative aspects of musical theatre, television and broadcasting. 

My stage debut was as Mr Snow in Carousel in 1968 where I met and later married my dresser, Elaine. We're still happily married 55 years later in 2025. 

Other shows followed, including Molière's Mr. Skinflint (The Miser), which was produced by Adam Leslie at his intimate theatre in Doornfontein, Johannesburg in 1969. The musical director was Sam Sklair, who later married Annabel Linder. 

Here I appeared opposite Joyce Dalton, the wonderful soprano, and our families have been friends ever since. I am happy to say that Joyce is still singing today. She lives in England, and we are in close contact.

I next appeared in Stephen Sondheim's 'A Little Night Music,' directed by Taubie Kushlick, who also starred in the show. The beautiful ballad, 'Send in the Clowns,' comes from the show. Andre Hattingh and other well-known performers included Cathy Cota (now Plewman), Erica Rogers, Eric Flynn and Bruce Halliwell, Robert Whitehead, among others.

In the mid 70's I accompanied Eddie Calvert, trumpeter of Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom, and O Mein Papa fame. We performed many memorable concerts together where part of our act saw me alone on stage at the piano. Eddie, out of breath, would come running on stage only to be removed, kicking and screaming by some traffic officers, co-opted to take part in a mock arrest for speeding.

I spent eight years at the SABC where I wrote, produced/directed and broadcast about a hundred TV shows, among which was the popular weekly, ‘Money or the Box Show’. During this time, I met and worked with many world-famous people, like Johnny Mathis, Chris de Burgh, Sergio Mendes (recently passed), Dave Brubeck, to name a few.  

I worked with South African artistes, like 'Four Jacks and a Jill', Andre Hattingh, Michael de Pinna, Julia Mann and others. I then wrote and directed 'Jazz RSA' which featured many South African and overseas musicians, like Bruce Cassidy.  Another popular TV show I wrote and directed was a one-off story of Satchmo (Louis Armstrong), which starred Ben Masinga. 

I was fortunate to meet and work with Dr Chris Barnard, (the first heart transplant surgeon who incidentally also played the piano).

I was known as a singer for many years and Hennie Becker arranged the orchestra for my first Afrikaans singing LP - Die Huwelikslied, produced by Billy Forrest and later Bill Fairley arranged my SABC Transcription LP. 

All the above SABC material was sadly filched by the Gupta Brothers, friends of ex-President Jacob Zuma, during the South African State Capture scam.   

I live, and love living in South Africa, with my wife, Elaine, my children, grandchildren and dogs. 

We also have a wide circle of friends and enjoy our mutual sharing of experiences, opinions and ideas, often getting together for a typical South Africa Barbeque (known as a Braai).

For thirty years or so, I was the resident pianist at the Country Club Johannesburg and now currently the lobby pianist at the Sandton Sun Hotel. Thursday lunchtime finds me at the Bryanston Organic Market, where I have also entertained at the piano, the people for more than 25 years.

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BOOKS (Find under BOOKS)

Whilst at the SABC I wrote my first book entitled, 'Television through the Front Door', (now out of print), published by McGraw-Hill. The first print sold out.

I then wrote 'Justice of the Wild', a YA adventure novel about 'canned' lion hunting, which got a 4 out of 4-star review rating by OnlineBookClub.org. 

Since then, I have written a three-book series, entitled, 'Tafara', categorized as a middle-grade, magic-realism, action/adventure, family saga, in which the protagonists mature during the series.  These books are each a stand/alone adventure story.

BOOKS YET UNPUBLISHED SEEKING TRADITIONAL PUBLISHERS

'Tafara - The Beginning', 40,000 Words Except for his ongoing nightmares, Tafara is an adventurous, musical, but sensitive and devout eight-year-old adopted boy, of mixed blood, with cognitive powers, who lives on a dairy farm, inherited by his adoptive mother Maureen Finch. She is unhappily married to his malicious stepfather, Donald Finch. Their farm adjoins the Kruger National Park. Tafara has close friends. Joe Bisho, an African boy, whose father, Alfred, is a Traditional healer, and also a part-time barman at the Tropicale Hotel, and who features strongly in Tafara’s life as a newly born baby boy. Next, is his guardian angel, Honor, who has an evil twin, Fury, that imitates him. Thirdly, is Khozi, a giant pre-historic Eagle, that lives, with his mate, in a volcanic cave and who flies the two harnessed boys around. Khozi teaches Tafara how to communicate telepathically. 

Nearby lives store owner, Izzy Goldman, a widower whose twin daughters, Tammy, and Beth, are friends of the boys and of the same age, These are all home-schooled by Maureen Finch. 

Tafara’s first case involves Mr. Goldman’s prize bantams that keep disappearing. He asks the boys to keep a lookout. Flying with Khozi, Tafara spots the culprit below, carrying a plastic bag.  As they descend, the thief, looking up, throws himself to the ground in terror. Tafara, remaining airborne and unseen, instructs him to return the bantams. 

 Later, Tafara assists a bewildered Kruger Park, Police official, Captain George Zweele, in capturing poachers. Afterwards, game wardens watch in disbelief, Tafara mounted on an elephant, as the pachyderm uproots trees to build a firebreak. These episodes become ever more dangerous as each tale progresses. Khozi meets Joe’s parents and Tafara’s mother, who as grownups, must put aside their incredulity and accept this pre-historic bird on his own peculiar terms. These narratives further reveal Tafara’s past, and the future outcomes they hold. 

 A freeway being planned by the Government will cut through the three adjoining farms of Tafara, Joe and the Goldmans who are given notice to sell up and move. Mr. Goldman finds a subdivisible tract of land ideal for the three families to purchase a sizable portion, each with its own house and outbuildings. Thus, they remain neighbours. Clashes between Tafara and, Donald Finch, reach a zenith, when, his drunken stepfather threatens Tafara and Maureen with a loaded rifle. Khozi attacks him from above, reversing the stakes. Tafara now has the gun with Honor’s evil twin, Fury, goading him to pull the trigger. Tafara’s battles his conscience and lowers the gun just in time. This changes all their lives, as Book One closes, with Tafara’s resolve to search for his real father, Franklin T. Riley. 

Thus, the story proceeds to Book Two entitled, ‘Tafara and All That Glitters’, 40,000 Words in which Tafara, with his team solve an intricate gold coin theft case. Interwoven, are the developing friendships with twins Tammy and Beth.

Book Three opens with Tafara’s family clashes and rivalry, with the unruly Elliot Twins, Duncan and Henry, and their mother Angela from their past, in the third book entitled, ‘Tafara and Destiny Awaits’, 40,000 Words.

The next book I wrote is entitled, 'Forty-Five Babies' and is also seeking republication (see under BOOKS).  

I'm now almost finished writing my 8th book, 'Jesus and the Minstrel'.  

JESUS AND THE MINSTREL - SYNOPSIS (522 Words)

Following the tragic loss of his wife Diana, and their stillborn daughter Eve, in childbirth, Nathanael, our minstrel protagonist, on the point of suicide, is interrupted when his fellow student, Jothem, arrives at his door. He encourages Nathanael to end his grief and exploit his talents with a paid engagement as an incentive.

Nathanael, accompanies Jothem to Cana, where a wedding is pending at which Jothem is booked as a Steward to the Governor. There, the two encounter Jesus and some of His disciples. Nathanael, intrigued by this amazing Teacher, also finds himself attracted to Miriam, one of the bridesmaids. 

After eye-witnessing Jesus turning water into wine, Nathanael’s interest is aroused. This draws attention to their teacher Caleb, who taught that the long-awaited Messiah, was prophesied to appear in their lifetime. He resolves to learn more.

The relationship between Miriam and Nathanael, about to blossom, gets cut short when she abruptly departs the Cana venue. Disappointed, but in the interest of his quest, Nathaniel decides to follow Jesus and observe any other miracles He may perform. 

Each chapter, tells a separate tale, as Jesus moves from village to village, teaching, healing, and crossing swords with the authorities, finally ending up in Jerusalem where He faces His pre-ordained destiny. 

Nathanael follows Jesus to verify his Messiahship and to validate any fulfillment of ancient prophecies. However, he finds himself unable to comprehend, the many difficult statements Jesus declares, causing him to doubt.  

En route, he once more encounters Miriam, who wishes to join in his mission but also to beg Jesus to heal the growing numbness in her legs that gradually spreads to her entire body. 

Their mutual feelings are thus re-kindled. 

Miriam, having had more exposure to Jesus at Cana, has a greater understanding of His real mission, as she overhears several revealing conversations between Jesus and John, His youngest disciple. 

Nathaneal, swamped with ever mounting doubts, nevertheless, proposes to Miriam. 

Unfortunately, Miriam gradually gets worse. But she is brave and travels in a makeshift cart, drawn by a donkey named Jenny. This colt features significantly in the tale.

The couple return to her parents’ house to arrange their wedding, where Nathaneal and Jothem meet once more with their teacher Caleb, as a guest. 

Nathaneal later becomes a pallbearer at Lazurus’s funeral and later still meets him alive.

Wending their way back to Jerusalem, at the height of the Passover, they meet with Barnabus and his nephew John Mark, the first gospel writer. 

Shortly after, on the day preceding the special ‘high’ Sabbath, (our Wednesday), they witness Pontious Pilot’s rantings, and also the blood thirsty crowds following Jesus chanting, ‘Crucify Him! Crucify Him!’ 

Nathaneal, in the heat of the moment, and at the behest of his wife, experiences an inadvertent backlash, as he tries in vain to thwart Jesus’ initial scourging.

Following the Crucifixion and subsequent Resurrection, and the beginnings of the written Gospels, particularly Mark, Nathaneal and Miriam, become fully convinced that Jesus is indeed the long-awaited Messiah. After experiencing an unexpected miracle, bestowed upon Miriam, by Simon Peter, the couple become firm, converted followers of ‘The Way,’ the precursor to Christianity.  

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COMMISSION

I was then commissioned by the then head of School Music in South Africa to write two Music Textbooks for Grades Ten and Eleven, and Grade Twelve.  Included in these was, a stand/alone 89-page textbook entitled, 'Teach Yourself Basic Music Literacy'.  

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MUSIC COMPOSISIOTNS

Besides my books, I’ve composed many single Gospel songs, and three full-length Mini Gospel Operas (or Cantatas) performed at local Churches, plus two full-length musicals and (bottom-drawed) one full-length historical South African Grand Opera.  

Two of my major music compositions are, 

'No Ordinary Man', which exists fully recorded, with piano score and backtracks for stage productions.

'Sermon on the Mount'. Full Piano/Vocal score only.

Both of the above works have been performed a few times in South Africa. These can be labeled as 'Mini-Operas' as they are both about one hour in duration.

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My aim this year, 2025, is to be published by a legitimate, traditional publisher.