Based: Cape Town
Leon Albert Oosthuizen excelled in music from childhood, especially as pianist.
Highlights from these formative years include:
- an Unisa merit award and placement on the roll of honour, completion of grade 8 practical and grade 6 theoretical,
- a distinction in music as school subject in matric,
- SABC recordings,
- master classes at the Conservatory of the University of Stellenbosch,
- member of top school choirs,
- member of light music orchestra and
- bugle and trumpet player of cadet band.
After school Leon studied and specialized in an accounting field, but music continued calling while studying at the University of Stellenbosch. He coached the serenade group of the Wilgenhof residence, Die Kraaie (“The Crows”), and published the first CD by a serenade group at the University of Stellenbosch: Die Plek in harmonie (“The Place in harmony”). He was also the publisher of the updated songbook of the residence: Fluitjiefywerits.
Meanwhile he became involved with various community bands as pianist and vocalist.
He also participated in theatre productions like the award-winning Altyd Jonker.
During a 2 year stay in the UK his path crossed with the piano accordion in Paris. On his return to South Africa, he decided to learn to play the accordion.
In the meantime Leon also equipped himself further as a song-writer at the Cape Town School of Songwriting from Clive Ridgway.
In 2010 Leon Albert completed an album with poems put to music of Uys Krige: Goue Eeue.
In 2010 Leon came to the fore as accordionist with Anteros, a Mediterranean music group that entertained audiences in theatres like the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre, Villa Pascal, Brooklyn Theatre as well as the Suidoosterfees.
In 2012 Leon Albert joined forces with musicians from Cape Town and surrounding townships and formed an Afro-world music group, Sibanye.
By 2014 Leon completed all the accordion examinations at the Trinity College London. He obtained the highest qualification: Advanced Certificate with Distinction. Leon herewith established himself as one of a select group concert accordionists in South Africa. Leon Albert plays a Borsini Professional accordion.
Sibanye’s concert at the Gariepfees arts festival in Kimberley was broadcasted live on the national airwaves of RSG in 2015.
Leon joined the cast of the musical Fiddler on the Roof as accordionist with the Northlink College Performing Arts Department in Cape Town in 2016.
In 2017 Leon joined the celtic music group: Christine Weir and the Kilts, as accordionist and pianist for their run at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
He also joined the cast of the musical revue Prinz Bettliegend as accordionist with the Stellenbosch University Drama Department in Cape Town and Stellenbosch in 2017.
