For over 70 years, Goan musician has enthralled audiences across globe

File Photo

GLOBAL GOENKAR IN FOCUS

PANAJI

Not many Goan musicians have had the honour to have played in the songs of Frank Fernand’s iconic Konkani films ‘Amchem Noxib’ and ‘Nirmon’, or alongside world-acclaimed musicians like Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck and Eddy Calvert.

But then, Anthony (Toni) Joseph Pinto (88), a legendary Goan pianist in Toronto-Canada is no ordinary musician. Besides, to be playing music for over 70 years is an achievement in itself.

BACKGROUND

Toni hails from Vaddem in Socorro-Goa but spent most of his life in Mumbai.

“I passed SSC from St Stanislaus High School, Bandra, in 1955 and graduated in Economics and Politics from St Xavier's College, Mumbai, in 1960,” said Toni.

After a long and impressive music career in India, Toni and his wife Berta migrated to Canada in 2001, after their youngest daughter Margo Barreto had moved there in 1999. Toni and Berta became Canadian citizens in 2008.

EARLY MUSIC

Toni may have earned fame as a pianist, but it is interesting to know that the piano was not the first music instrument he began to play. Or even his second.

“My dad was a violist with the Bombay Symphony Orchestra, and I began putting the violin under my chin at the age of 5,” recalled Toni.

“For my 10th birthday, my grandfather gifted me a 'Gene Krupa' drum tutor. I went through this book and today, I can play drums through notations.”

“I played the violin with our school orchestra and also with the St Peter's Church Choir, being the only schoolboy playing with all adult men. I also won music contests at our parish St Andrew's Church Zonals for three years in a row.”

PROFESSIONAL GIGS

Toni got his first professional break in music, as a violinist for the 'Victor Paranjoti Chorus'.

Toni then started learning the piano at the age of 12 and got his first professional gig as a pianist on December 31, 1954, at the age of 15, while still in ninth grade at school.

“From there on, there was no looking back. I was hired by bands for socials, weddings and dances. I joined the 'Johnny Baptist' band while still in SSC,” said Toni.

During his first year in college, Toni got a 6-month contract from the Grand Hotel in Bombay, playing every night from Monday to Saturday.

“After this contract, I played gigs with Johnnie's band and then left the band to continue my college studies. I also did gigs with well-known musicians like Ken Mac, Hal Green and Pete D'Mello's Swing band.”

In 1960, Toni received a scholarship by the Berklee School of Music, Boston. In 1966, he won the coveted Franz Marques Award for the Best Original Composition in the 'Sound of Surprise No. 2' organised by the Bombay Musicians Association.

“I got an excellent break in Goody Seervai's band as pianist for 2-3 years. We had regular shows at the Cricket Club of India (Mondays), Willingdon Sports Club (Tuesdays), Western India Automobile Association Club (Saturdays), besides playing for Parsi weddings, and private parties.”

“I left Goody's band after getting an excellent offer from The Ambassador hotel at Churchgate, to lead the Jazz Quartet there, from 1958 (while still in college) to 1974.”

While leading his Quartet, Toni got the opportunity to jam with world-acclaimed American musicians like Duke Ellington, Red Nichols and his Five Pennies, and Jack Teagarden.

“Even the famous British trumpeter Eddie Calvert jammed with my band one night when organisers of the Kolynos Toothpaste Show brought him over for dinner at the hotel.”

“The famous Dave Brubeck was brought by our jazz fans to listen to us. He was greatly impressed with the standard of music in Bombay at that time.”

While still at The Ambassador on contract, Toni was offered to join BI Steam Navigation Company’s cruise ship ‘SS Uganda’ on a year's trip, visiting over 55 ports.

“I put a replacement in my place and rejoined The Ambassador in February 1969, playing there till 1974,” said Toni.

Toni went on to perform as a solo pianist at 5-starred hotels in the Middle East from 1978 to 1989, with breaks in between contracts. 

“I played for Ramada Hotel at Abu Dhabi (1978-79), Holiday Inn hotels in Bahrain, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi (1979-1986) and Le Méridien Hotel at Kuwait (1986-89).

 
Toni continued his music career after migrating to Canada.

In 2003-04, Toni led a Jazz Trio aboard the cruise ship ‘MS Zuiderdam’ of the Holland America Line. In 2011, Toni gained acclaim by winning the first prize at the Senior Star Contest for participants across Canada.

“I was the first Asian Goan to win this coveted prize,” said Toni.

MUSIC IN FILMS

Between 1963 and 1997, Toni played in several Bollywood songs.

“I played for the top music directors, ending with a six-year stint with the famous Laxmikant-Pyarelal.”

It was in the early 1960s that Toni met the legendary Goan musician, Frank Fernand.

“I knew Frankie as he would play the trumpet with famous Indian dance bands. I also met him again in Bollywood, as he was the arranger for music directors 'Kalyanji-Anandji',” recalled Toni.

“I played the piano for his two iconic Konkani films 'Amchem Noxib' and 'Nirmon', which included the hit song 'Claudia'.

ADVICE TO YOUTH

While Toni has encouraged Goan youth to learn music, he cautions them about taking up music as a full-time profession.

“I would advise Goan youth to learn music, as Goans have music in their blood. I was lucky during my time in the show biz as the period from 1950s to 1970s was the golden era of music in Bombay, Calcutta and Delhi.”

“Musicians were busy playing in restaurants and starred hotels. Even those working in offices by day would play shows at night, to supplement their income.”

“When electronics and technology came into the music scene, music transitioned from small groups to duos and solo instrumentalists doing weddings and dances with added DJs to fill the gap. So today, it may not be worth taking up music as a full-time profession,” added Toni.