Coffee Day at the Jackson's 18th May 2009

Oh, what a day! About 27 members and friends of Ian and Maureen Jackson turned up for an amazing day of impromptu music and jam sessions involving Club members and professional musicians alike. We sure were spoilt for choice with a: Yamaha C5 grand piano with Diskclavier installed; a Roland Fantom G8 88 note piano key weighted synthesizer; a Yamaha Tyros 2 arranger/keyboard brought along by our member Alan Wilkins: not to mention another Roland keyboard and another 88 note weighted key electronic piano tucked away in other rooms! The weather played the game also with an absolutely gorgeous warm and sunny day. All in all, an extraordinarily feast of music - thank you Ian and Maureen for your wonderful hospitality at your lovely home.

   

 

Our host Ian Jackson playing his Roland Fantom G8 synthesizer and his Yamaha C5 grand piano with Diskclavier installed and to show his versatility as a professional musician we see Ian on his DW Drum Kit. Toys to "kill for"!

 

 

 

Peter Littlejohn savouring the Yamaha C5 grand piano. Peter has a grand piano at home also and so his great touch should not have been of any surprise.

 

 

 

 

 

Alan Wilkins brought his beloved Yamaha Tyros 2 keyboard to allow even more choices for our musical delight! Ian enjoyed jamming at one stage with the 'pros' as they jammed.

 

 

 

 

Dave Hallam, the well respected music tutor on the North Shore and professional musician came along for a couple of hours and thrilled us with his superb touch on the grand piano and then acted as Bass player on the Roland Fantom G8 to complete the impromptu band as they 'jammed'.

 

 

  

Carol Littlejohn, Andrea Bailey (vocals), Ray (playing flute) and Dave Hallam jamming to our delight.

 

Dave Hallam had business engagements in the afternoon and so Peter Littlejohn stepped-in to play the Roland Fantom acting as the bass player for the impromptu band. Such talent such great music such a great day!

 

Ray soloing on his beloved flute. Ray chose 'Fly Me To The Moon' for his virtuoso. With visions of 'Jethro Tull' from the 1960's the big disappointment was that Ray didn't play on one leg like the flautist with 'Jethro Tull' used too! Only joking - wonderful music and such a versatile musician.

 

 

  

George Watt, our Past-President, and 'new boy' Roy Evans relishing the touch and sound of the C5 grand piano - nice playing guys!

Colleen Kerr, our Club Secretary, playing 'Waiting On The Robert E. Lee' left (you can just about visualize the steamboat paddling its way down the Mississipi River. Then Colleen delighted us with the classical and very difficult 'Rustle Of Spring'. Such a lovely touch and wow lovely fluent arpeggios as Colleen ran up and down the scales effortlessly. You could just about hear the trees rustling in the Spring breeze (well... it is Spring in the Northern Hemisphere!).

 

Rob Powell enjoying the Yamaha Tyros 2 of Alan Wilkins who can be seen closely observing the great sounds that Rob can conjure up out of this great keyboard.

 

 

 

 

 

Ray singing along with the band whilst Desiree Barrows, Des Rouse and Colleen Kerr are attentive to the band in full flight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Club President, Gordon Sutherland, playing Alan Wilkins' Yamaha Tyros 2 keyboard.

 

 

 

Some of our members enjoying the occasion.