Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Club Night 5th August 2014

An incredible evening! A celebration of music at its best. In the first half we were entertained by Peter Jackson on his Yamaha PSR-S950 both for the arrival music and a performance - some nice crooning too. Making his debut at the Club, Ken Mason played the Clavinova beautifully and as Ken said it has taken him 92 years to get to this stage! Michael Bramley brought his Yamaha PSR-S950 as well and was very creative in the way he built his songs. Finishing the first half, Roy Steen entertained us on his Korg Pa80 quite superbly.
After a refreshments break the stage was reconfigured for our guest artists: Ben Fernandez on our Clavinova CVP-509 and his Hammond SK1; Jason Orme on percussion; and Maria O'Flaherty on vocals. What a sensational concert playing all the songs we love but with their unique and stylish twist. Ben even wrote a new song that afternoon and premiered it at the Club - a lovely ballad! Music doesn't get any better than this. You can follow Ben on his Web Site: www.benfernandez.net/ .
A big thank you to the Committee and door staff for making the evening such a roaring success.

The Video of Ben Fenandez and Friends:

Ben Fernandez (keyboards) with Jason Orme (percussion) and Maria O’Flaherty (vocals). Click the play button below to watch the embedded YouTube video.

The Photos:

Ken Mason playing the Clavinova for us superbly and on his debut too at the age of 92! Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Michael Bramley played his Yamaha PSR-S950 for us very creatively. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Peter Jackson played the arrival music for us and a performance including both keyboard playing and singing and all very well done as always. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Roy Steen played his Korg Pa80 for us and gave a superb mini concert. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Roy Steen played his Korg Pa80 for us and gave a superb mini concert. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Our guest artist for the evening, International pianist, Ben Fernandez. Seen here setting-up the Club's Clavinova CVP-509. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Ben Fernandez playing the Clavinova. At some stages of the Concert, Ben was playing both the Clavinova and Hammond concurrently! Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

And introducing Ben's guest artists: Jason Orme on percussion and Maria O'Flaherty on vocals. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. And introducing Ben's guest artists: Jason Orme on percussion and Maria O'Flaherty on vocals. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Ben's guest artists: Jason Orme on percussion and Maria O'Flaherty on vocals. Ben is accompanying on his Hammond SK1. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Ben reckons the Hammond SK1 is his favourite keyboard at the moment and boy did he make it sound good. Of course Hammond have a long history of drawbar keyboards/organs. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Maria O'Flaherty in full flight - superb voice and wonderful renditioning of jazz standars. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Jason Orme is one of Auckland's top drummers and even with just his sub-set of percussion the expression and rendering was superb. Quality not volume - drums can be overpowering in a some venue but Jason balanced with Ben and Maria exquisitely. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Kudos to Maria O'Flaherty for a stunning performance! Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. A snap-shot for the archives, as a remembrance of this stunning Concert. L to R: Maria O'Flaherty; Club President, Gordon Sutherland; Jason Orme; and the one and only Ben Fernandez. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Videos of Members playing on the Night:

Ken Mason playing the Club’s Clavinova CVP-509. This was Ken’s debut performance at the Club!

Michael Bramley playing his Yamaha PSR-S950

Peter Jackson playing his Yamaha PSR-S950

Roy Steen playing his Korg Pa80

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