Tony Amaral (1910 -1975) began his professional life as a pianist in the ballroom dance classes, of the teachers Eugénia Rego and Helena Pinto Coelho, in 1929. This experience gave him the knowledge of the most important world dance genres, its rhythms, the right tempo and also allowed him, in a practical way, to acquire the ability to organize in “sets” or series, a specific repertoire to play in hotels and casinos of Funchal. The city's small dance schools were attended by locals and foreigners living on the Island. They were also the ones who, on weekends or holidays, joined together to dance in Funchal's night spaces alongside foreigners who were passing by. Tony Amaral formed his first musical group in 1932 with some young musicians of his time: Amadeu Pestana (saxophone), Laurindo Nóbrega (violin), António de Almeida (trumpet) and Tony himself at the piano. He played for some time at dances and on festive nights and it was with this formation that he left for “Las Palmas” (Canary Islands) in 1934, where he stayed for 5 years. He performed in hotels, at “Club Náutico”, at “Casino Perez Galdoz” and at the best well known nightclub in the city, El Dourado. In 1939, he returned to Funchal and joined the Royal Dance Orchestra. This consisted of Tony Amaral (piano), Amadeu Pestana (saxophone), Henrique Gonçalves (trumpet) and João Fernandes (drums). The “Diário da Madeira” of 9 May 1939 mentions the group's performance in a program of the National Broadcaster. From 1941, Tony Amaral was the resident pianist at “Hotel Bela Vista”, playing tea, dinner and at “Esquire Bar” until 11 pm. It was in this place that, between 1942 and 1943, he would establish the base formation that would accompany him in the coming years (Max and Carlos Menezes). However, it would be at “Flamingo”, a new space that was teeming with South American rhythms and Swing Jazz that, from 1944, the definitive Tony Amaral Group was created, with José de Freitas and Barrinhos (later Carlos Fernandes “Tachi”). This musical format was immediately appreciated by all, for its music but also for the instrumental quality of its members. In 1946, with the invitation of Fred Jones, director of “Hotel Bela Vista”, who had moved to Lisbon to open “Club Americano”, the musicians set out on a musical adventure outside the island. Cosmopolitan Lisbon welcomed them with open arms. In a short time, contracts for the most famous musical houses in the capital followed, as were the cases of nightclubs and cabarets “Nina”, “Pigalle”, “Galgo”, “Cristal” and “Maxime”. In addition to these advantageous contracts in terms of monetary and artistic visibility, the Group also fulfilled other memorable presences. Among these, the musical soirees of the Lisbon City Hall or the Eça de Queirós Circle, an unforgettable performance (for all members) at a party organized for the kings of Spain (exiled in Portugal), a tour to Madrid with performances at “El Pinguin”, several recordings in live musical programs, for “Emissora Nacional”, “Rádio Peninsular”, “Rádio Graça”, the recording of a disc with one of his compositions, “Noites da Madeira” (1949), the opening of “Casino Estoril” (1949) and also, the accompaniment of the fado singer Amália Rodrigues, in a program of songs and fados emitted by the National Broadcaster for the Portuguese community in North America. Augusto Fraga, critic and editor of “Diário de Lisboa”, referred to Tony Amaral's group in December 1951, writing: “The Portuguese are generally the last to assess the value of silver in the house. If Tony Amaral's Ensemble (by far the best musical ensemble that has ever performed in our country) had an American or English label, half Lisbon would walk with his name screaming across the seven hills. But as it is Portuguese “Made in Madeira” the audience is happy to say that in fact they play very well and so on. But justice is done to the Quintet of Tony Amaral is the first Portuguese musical group with an exceptional category, of that class that can export and achieve solid international prestige.”
Tony Amaral would return to Madeira in 1953 fulfilling successive contracts with “Hotel Reid's”, in absolute artistic exclusivity, until the beginning of the 70s. His international career would continue through the many records he recorded, some in the emblematic space of the aforementioned “Hotel Reid's” and which were later sold in Portugal and abroad. On December 21, 1961, the English newspaper dedicated to the Music Hall “The Stage and Television Day” published a note about the Madeiran artist, including a photo, portraying him as an excellent pianist and composer. In one of the passages in the article it is said: “The artists who performed or visited “Casino Estoril”, “Maxime” in Lisbon, Pinguin in Madrid, “Hotel Metrópole” in Canary Islands, “Hotel Reid's” and “Hotel Savoy” in Madeira, recognize Tony Amaral in this photo, pianist, orchestra conductor, composer and great name of the disc in Portugal. With his Quartet, he has recorded many of his compositions, including the series “Madeira Time” and “Noites da Madeira.” On 8 March 1964, the “Diário de Notícias da Madeira” reports that one of his songs “Bye, Bye Madeira” was played by the BBC Light Orchestra. In 1969, Tony Amaral was one of the guests of honor in the program “Zip Zip” (RTP - Lisbon), at the television party in honor of the singer Maximiano de Sousa. The Madeiran pianist shared the stage with his former companion and friend, interpreting the song “Noites da Madeira”. A moment of great emotion was forever recorded, before an audience that applauded them effusively. Tony Amaral also played with many young Madeiran musicians, in the 60s and 70s. It was the cases of Sérgio Borges, Alex Kassab and Luis Gama, among others, who always remembered him as a musical master. Of his compositions published on disc, the following stood out: “Adeus Funchal”, “Carolina”, “Scarlet” and “Tu, Solo Tu”.
Text: Vítor Sérgio Sardinha
