Club Night 3rd February 2009

What a great start to the New Year! We had a record attendance for a Club Night with around 60 persons enjoying the fantastic atmosphere and great music. Attendees were not quite "swinging from the rafters" as indicated in the lead-up to Club Night but not far short! The new aluminium windows certainly made a great difference to the airflow with a very comfortable temperature for everybody to relax and enjoy the show. The ceiling fans were put to good effect also, but Alan Wilkins had to volunteer to get down on his knees and hold the sheet music for Des Rouse as the gentle breeze (aided by the fans) wafted through the Lounge playing havoc with Des' music. Well done Des for keeping your cool under 'trying' circumstances and thanks to Alan for holding it all together! Above photo of our guest artist, Chris Larking, playing our Clavinova - photo courtesy of Club Secretary, Colleen Kerr.

The evening started off with John Beales playing the arrival music on his Yamaha PSR-S500 keyboard and playing very nicely too - John just gets better and better with his smooth playing style.

Sam Davidson then had his debut on the Club's Clavinova and made a great job of it too with rhythms and all. Sam has a Technics ensemble piano at home and so it is not easy to get to grips with a different instrument and 'hitting the floor cold'.

Des Rouse then played his Yamaha PSR 3000 playing some great jazz standards in an easy listening and very smooth mode. Well done Des.

Skip Eade then entertained us on the Technics GA3 Club theatre organ. As always, Skip rattled through his pieces with aplomb. You can tell Skip has a GA3 himself as he looked very comfortable with hands and feet in perfect harmony as the great tone of the GA3 came through with the rich, deep bass. Very nice Skip. Also, Skip had arrived late due to the black-out, through a power surge, on the Auckland side of the bridge necessitating Skip to find a circumlocutory route to get to the venue and not let us down with his scheduled playing. Your efforts to get to the Club were most worthwhile - thanks Skip.

Next up was a guest from Japan, Mari, who is a house guest of members Lizza and Peter Littlejohn for a few weeks. How could we not let such a charming young lady play for us when she has come 6,000 miles for the privilege! Mari played a couple of straight piano contemporary pieces and accompanied herself with vocals for the second song. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed her delicate touch and good choice of songs. Well done Mari and we hope you will visit with us again in the future.

The first half was concluded by Colin Crann playing a couple of foot-tapping, great arrangements. Colin is always a delight to listen to as he puts a lot of effort into his sounds and use of the pedals for assigning performance changes and for effects. Excellent as usual Colin, thank you so much.

The refreshments break, in the dining room downstairs, is always a great half-hour to gather round the large round tables and have a good 'chin wag' to catch up on happenings in the last month. With the Christmas extended break, there was an awful lot of happenings to share.

After the raffle (four hand-painted side plates), which were won by Des Rouse it was time to get back to the serious business of musical indulgence and who better to delight us than the inimitable audience pleasing one and only Chris Larking! Photo of Chris acknowledging the photo being taken by Club Secretary, Colleen Kerr.

Chris was asked before he started playing to update us on his life-style changes in the last nine months. Chris told us that he has set-up business in Barrys Point Road, Takapuna to sell PA gear, guitars and other musical instruments as well as offering hire instruments for schools and students including turn-key complete hardware and software music solutions for schools around New Zealand. We all wish Chris and his partners every best wish for the success of this exciting new venture which has got to be good to promote proactive music by the younger generation. We can't have them just playing with their video X-Box's and PS3's! You are sure to get a warm welcome if you call in to Dr Music at Barrys Point Road and find out first hand how Chris may be able to help you or your progeny.

Chris entertained us for over 45 minutes non-stop on the Club's Yamaha Clavinova CVP-305 and wow did Chris turn it on for us with his own personal style of arranging the music so creatively and ear pleasing! Chris covered a broad genre of contemporary and jazz standards. The writer particularly enjoyed his version of Nora Jones big hit recently of "Don't Know Why" and Vangelis "Conquest of Paradise - 1492". Thoroughly enjoyable Chris - as always. Thank you so much for such a great mini-concert - you can come again!

Above photo showing Chris sharing musical ideas with attendees.

By 'George', Chris even had a candelabra as he entertained us with his 'music by candlelight' session! Who needs Liberace?

Club President, Gordon Sutherland, presenting Chris with a thank you gift for giving us such a great evening's musical entertainment. Photo courtesy of Club Secretary, Colleen Kerr.