Joe Blog

Hilton Schilder launches 46th album Crooks & Nannies at Wits University

Johannesburg audiences are in for a historic night as Hilton Schilder, one of South Africa’s most celebrated jazz composers and performers, brings his 46th album, Crooks & Nannies to the Wits Chris Seabrooke Music Hall, Wits University on Friday, 3 October 2025.

Hilton’s music has long stood at the crossroads of Cape jazz, goema, indigenous traditions, and free improvisation. From his early work with groundbreaking bands such as The Genuines, African Dream, Iconoclast, and Sons of Table Mountain, to his many solo recordings, Hilton has consistently expanded the boundaries of South African jazz. Recognized as a living legend, his career spans more than four decades of innovation, collaboration, and heritage preservation.

The launch of Crooks & Nannies in Johannesburg is particularly significant at Wits University, an institution committed to shaping the next generation of artists. Hosting Hilton Schilder underscores Wits Music’s role as a platform where heritage meets the future, offering students and audiences alike the chance to engage with a cultural icon whose work continues to inspire across generations.

Hilton will perform with his dynamic trio, young talented musicians from Cape Town; Clayton Norman Pretorius – Bass and Kurt Bowers – Drums. The concert will also feature Abraham Mennen - saxophone.

This album launch concert promises an evening of original compositions, grand piano performance, and the rich textures of indigenous classical music, marking a milestone in South African music history.

PARKING, ACCESSIBILITY, REFRESHMENTS, RULES
ARE REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE AT VENUE? YES

PROHIBITED: NO CAMERAS OR RECORDING DEVICES ARE ALLOWED – ONLY AUTHORISED PERSONNEL

WHAT PARKING FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED AT THE VENUE:

• Safe parking available via the Station Street Entrance – off Jorissen Street after 17h00.
• For daytime shows, all visitors should park at the visitors parking on Yale Road at the Anglo – Dome.
• For visitors on foot, please use the Sutton Close Entrance, to scan your ID and make your way to the Wits Theatre. For high schools coming to attend, all schools should report to Wits University an hour before the show, park buses at
the visitors’ parking spaces by the Anglo - Dome and may make their way to the Wits Theatre.
• For Uber drop off, please use Sutton Close Entrance, to scan your ID and make your way to the Wits Theatre
• All visitors and guests PLEASE HAVE YOUR VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE OR I.D WHEN VISITING THE CAMPUS

WHAT DISABLED FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE VENUE: WHEELCHIR RAMP & ELEVATOR