Gideon has been an active musician in South African music since the mid eighties, writing mostly with original English music. He released his first production in 1993 titled Jeshua with Zamar Productions in Stellenbosch.
In 1996, he started working on a new Afrikaans concept album including a more bluesy sound than was the norm at that stage in mainstream Afrikaans music, but interrupted this project when moving to the Netherlands in 1998.
In the Netherlands Gideon concentrated on adapting to society, and living life in general. Though not extremely active as a musician during that time, he played with a rock/party band called "The Swinging Blue Screens" as vocalist and guitarist.
In 2002, Gideon moved to Saudi Arabia, for a work opportunity with an IT company and played bass and sang lead for the Rock band "Consortium". Even though music as a form of entertainment is frowned upon in Saudi Arabia, there is a vibrant expat community and Consortium had a very busy schedule playing at embassy functions and at private gatherings. During this period, Gideon also played with several other bands as guest musician.
He spent three years in Dubai, jamming with a group of enthusiastic fellow musicians from various cultural backgrounds. His son David was drummer for the group and styles covered were blues, Jazz, Rock with strong acoustic sound.
After travelling around the world, Gideon is now back in South Africa. Look out for him at a venue near.
His new solo album, "Murg" was produced by Johan Kelber in Pretoria, South Africa. Collaborating musicians include Johan Kelber (tjello and keys), Neill Ettridge (drums and percussions), Mauritz Lotz (guitar), Denny Lallouette (bass) and Barry Snyman on the Sax. The album consists of 12 tracks - 10 in Afrikaans, and 2 in English - and styles include a fusion of Rock, jazz, blues and folk with strong acoustic overtones.
Murg has been released to the South African market, and can be found or ordered through most music stores around the country
Gideon is al jare lank betrokke in en met Suid-Afrikaanse musiek. Hy het begin on ernstig musiek te maak na sy matriekjaar, en was gedurende die tagtigs en negentigs aktief in die Suid-Afrikaanse musiekwêreld. Sy eerste album (Jeshua - 1993) was 'n Engelstalige produksie wat saam met Johan Kelber van Zamar Studios in Stellenbosch opgeneem is. Riël Malan het onder andere Afrikaanse woorde vir een van die liedjies geskryf en is onder die naam "Donker Man" op sy album "Tjello"vrygestel in dieselfde jaar.
Vanaf 1996 het Gideon begin konsentreer op die skryf van Afrikaanse musiek tot 1998 toe hy Suid-Afrika verlaat het om 'n werksgeleentheid in Nederland aan te pak. Daar het hy in 'n orkes "the Swinging Blue Screens" kitaar gespeel en ook gesing. Hulle het rock/popliedjies gespeel en verskeie kere opgetree.
In 2002 het Gideon van Saoedi Arabië verhuis vir 'n werksgeleentheid daar, en begin bas speel en sing saam met die rock-orkes "Consortium". Hoewel kontemorêre musiek streng gesproke verbode is in Saoedi-Arabië, is daar 'n groot Westerse bevolking in die land en die orkes was baie besig gewees met optredes by ambassades en Westerse "compounds". Geduredne die tyd het Gideon ook as gaskunstenaar opgetree met ander orkeste, onderandere in die buurland van Bahrein.
Na Saoedie het Gideon drie jaar inDubai in die Verenigde Arabiese Emirate spandeer, en saam met 'n groep musikante van verskillende kulturele agtergrondesaamgewerk. Sy seun, David het ook saamgespeel en is 'n drommer, keyboard speler en sanger in eie reg. Die style musiek wat hulle gespeel sluit rock, jazz en popmusiek in.
Gideon is nou permanent terug in Suid-Afrika en beskikbaar vir optredes. Besoek gerus sy webblad by www.gideonvanzyl.co.za vir besonderhede en meer nuus.
Gideon se eerste soloalbum sedert 1993 is onlangs in Suid-Afrika vrygestel. Vir die album "Murg" het hy weer saam met sy ou vriend en ster-vervaardiger - Johan Kelber van Johan Kelber Produksies gewerk. Die musikante wat saam met Gideon en Johan aan die album gewerk het klink soos 'n wie's wie van Suid-Afrrikaanse musiek. Neill Ettridge speel drommme, Mauritz Lotz kitaar, Denny Lallouette speel die bas en Barry Snyman speel die saksofoon. Johan speel die sleutelbord en tjello. Die produksie bestaan uit twaalf liedjies wat in styl wissel van Blues tot Rock, Jazz en Folk.
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