A Morecambe pianist has realised his dream of releasing his first album at the age of 95.

Tony Kadelbach has been playing the piano since the age of eight.

Earlier this year Tony’s Westmorland Homecare assistant Damien Whittam helped him to record, mix and master the album, which will raise money for St John’s Hospice.

Now the CD called Tony’s Musical Memories has been produced and is available for £10 in each of the St John’s Hospice charity shops in Morecambe and Lancaster.

Tony Kadelbach has released his first album at the age of 95.

placeholder image — Tony Kadelbach has released his first album at the age of 95.

Tony said: “Westmorland Homecare subsidised the cost of the CDs and Damien was so enthusiastic and helpful with my project.

“The tracks on the album are all easy listening including music from Cole Porter, Gershwin and John Denver. I’m quietly chuffed!”

Tony had a varied career, including working in libraries and bookshops. and teaching English and geography at the Lakes School at Troutbeck Bridge and at an international school in Spain.

He has written three books in the past five years which have focused on his life, his travels with his late wife Iris in Canada and about his lifetime’s interest in music – all of which have raised funds for charity.

“My mother insisted I had piano lessons from the age of eight,” said Tony. “As a rebellious teenager I joined a jazz band in Swinton and we used to go around the local hops. From August to Christmas last year, I played the piano at Morecambe’s Arndale Centre each Saturday in aid of St John’s Hospice.

“I support the hospice because it is a local charity and heavily dependent on donations.”

Damien said: “Tony is the nicest man on the planet. His attitude towards everything in life is uplifting and inspirational and I just wanted to help him out with raising money for the hospice.”

People will be able to buy and download a digital copy of the album from the website Band Camp or buy a CD from any of St John’s Hospice charity shops.

A justgiving page called ‘Tony’s Musical Memories album, raising money for St John’s Hospice, North Lancashire and South Lakes’ has already raised £1,100.

To donate visit https://justgiving.com/page/tonysmusicalmemories

You can watch Tony playing the piano by searching for @tonysmusicalmemories on TikTok and Instagram.