Neil Chotem was a celebrated Canadian composer, arranger, conductor, pianist, and music educator, born on 9 September 1920 in Saskatoon. He began his piano studies at the young age of five and went on to have a remarkable career. Chotem’s music is known for its tonal qualities and influences from jazz and popular music. He composed for television and radio, working with prominent Canadian artists like Maureen Forrester and Paul Piché. His achievements included a Montreal Festival du disque prize in 1968 for a collaborative LP called 3-12.

During World War II, Chotem served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, but his career continued to flourish after the war in Montreal. He performed as a concert pianist and worked as a conductor with several orchestras. His talent extended to arranging music for the progressive rock band Harmonium. Besides performing, he was passionate about teaching, sharing his knowledge with students at various Canadian universities.