Sunday, November 17, 2013

The Club’s Christmas Party at The Bays Club

A great venue for a great Christmas Party as The North Shore Organ and Keyboard Club starts to wind-down its many musical adventures during 2013. With over 50 members attending for the dinner and joined by an equal number of Bays Club members we had a ball! Between 3.30 pm and 6.00 pm members played the various instruments informally. Over dinner we had Ben Fernandez newly launched Christmas CD playing for us. After dinner we had three solo performances of half an hour duration by: Denise and Brian Gunson; Kuniko Nakatani; and Ben Fernandez. To cap-off a great Christmas Party, Jan and Kevin Johnston played some great dance music. The food, the location, the company, and the music all contributed to a wonderful Party. A big thank you to our Events Manager, Peter Brophy for organizing the event so well as well as the Committee members who lent support on the day.

Merry Christmas to one and all and a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year.

The Videos

Click on the start button below to watch an embedded YouTube video of Kuniko Nakatani playing at The Bays Club, Browns Bay for our Club’s Christmas Party on 17th November 2013:

Click on the start button below to watch an embedded YouTube video of Ben Fernandez playing at The Bays Club, Browns Bay for our Club’s Christmas Party on 17th November 2013:

The Photos

Master puppeteer and Santa, Jeanette Beamish, working Ian Jackson! More members enjoying the Christmas Party. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

More members enjoying the Christmas Party. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons The Banquet! Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons       Happy 'campers' enjoying the occasion. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons L to R: Ben Fernandez; Gordon Sutherland; and, Peter Brophy - deep in discussion. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

Ian Jackson a study in thought as he plays the Korg SP-250 digital piano. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons John Perkin playing the Korg Pa3X. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

Peter Littlejohn gave the Yamaha PSR-S950 a go. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons Gordon Sutherland playing Peter Brophy's Korg Pa3X. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

Committee Members, Diane Lyons and Delyse Whorwood keeping abreast of the dinner schedule. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons Peter Brophy playing his Yamaha PSR-S950. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

Some of the happy members enjoying the occasions. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

Jim Nicholson playing the Club's Korg SP-250 digital piano. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons Yummie!

Denise and Brian Gunson gave a thirty minute performance - Denise on the Korg piano and Brian on his G & L electric guitar.

Kuniko Nakatani enjoying the moment as she prepares to give a half-hour recital with some great Christmas arrangements. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons Kuniko Nakatani enjoying her piano playing. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Kuniko Nakatani giving a 30 minute recital with lots of great music including some Christmas songs. Kuniko is playing the Club's Korg SP-250 digital piano. Kuniko Nakatani giving a 30 minute recital with lots of great music including some Christmas songs. Kuniko is playing the Club's Korg SP-250 digital piano. President, Gordon Sutherland, thanking Kuniko for her performance and wishing her Bon Voyage as she will be returning to Japan in a few days. We will be sad to say 'Con te Partiro'

Consumate professional, Ben Fernandez, gave a thirty minute piano solo recital for us including music from his new Christmas CD which was exclusively launched at our Christmas Party! Ben Fernandez accompanied Len Hancy (vocals) for a few numbers and can be seen here sharing a humorous moment!

Jan and Kevin Johnston wound the evening up with some great dance music. Kevin on his acoustic guitar and Jan on her Korg Pa1X. And the band played on! L to R: Kevin Johnston; Jan Johnston; Peter Brophy (percussion); and, Len Hancy (vocals).

      Kuniko Nakatani relaxing after her great performance.                 Kuniko Nakatani relaxing after her great performance.

Some farewell shots. L to R: Club President,Gordon Sutherland; Kuniko Nakatani; and Club Secretary, Delyse Whorwood.

Margaret Black(far right) joined the band for the finale with some great vocals.

Over to you Margaret Black! Margaret leading the vocals in the curtain raising finale whilst Peter Brophy and Len Hancy provide support.

Posted by North Shore Music and Keyboard Club at 11:15 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Club Night 5th November 2013

A magical Club Night with a wonderful atmosphere and superb keyboard playing. It was a joyous occasion and a sad occasion as our member, Kuniko Nakatani, will be going back home to Japan at the end of November and so this was a celebration of her wonderful musical contributions for the Club over the last 6 months as well as celebrating her recent Birthday.

Kuniko Nakatani playing the Yamaha Clavinova CVP-509 as a straight grand piano. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

The arrival music was played by John Beales and followed by Ian Jackson on piano. Next up Laurie Conder entertained the audience playing his Roland G-70 keyboard. To finish the first half of the Programme, Kuniko Nakatani gave an extended cameo concert on our Clavinova CVP-509. The choice of music she played said it all really such as: Con te Partiro (Time to say Goodbye) and Memory. We were also treated to some serious concert pieces such as Chopin's Fantaisie - Impromptu which she played magnificently such that the whole house stood spontaneously to applaud her World class performance of this difficult but beautiful piece of music. As well as celebrating Kuniko’s Birthday we also presented her with a memento of our affection (a greenstone Koru necklace).

Our guest artist was the professional musician and pianist, Peter Parkinson, who entertained marvellously using a Korg Pa588 digital arranger piano. Peter demonstrated the wonderful style and arrangements on the instrument as well as playing some straight music (without rhythms) showing off the gorgeous layered sounds that this instrument is capable of. Peter is the Manager for Music Planet Botany Downs (located inside the Danske Mobler store) and specializes in quality acoustic pianos.

Our special guest artist, Peter Parkinson, sharing a humorous moment with the audience. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

A big thank you to the Committee and support staff for a terrific job as always to make the evening go so smoothly. The Club will post some YouTube embedded videos of the evening is due course so watch this space!

The Video Clips:

Click on the Play button below to watch Ian Jackson playing the Club’s Yamaha Clavinova CVP-509 on Club Night.

Click on the Play button below to watch Laurie Conder playing his Roland G-70 keyboard on Club Night.

Click on the Play button below to watch Kuniko Nakatani giving a piano recital using the Club’s Yamaha Clavinova CVP-509 on Club Night.

 

Photo Highlights:

John Beales playing the arrival music on his Korg Pa500. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood. Ian Jackson playing the Clavinova CVP-509. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Laurie Conder enjoying the moment as he sets-up his Roland G-70 keyboard. Laurie threw darts at the audience with a list of songs on them. The recipients in the audience got to choose the next song! Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Kuniko Nakatani played the Clavinova as a straight Grand Piano and superbly it might be said! Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

After her Recital, Kuniko addressed her friends in the audience to say how much she has enjoyed being a member of the Club and making so many new friends in what is her a strange land. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Gordon Sutheland leading the singing of Happy Birthday for Kunko. Peter Parkinson played the music. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

The Birthday cake for Kuniko. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. the 2nd November had been Kuniko's Birthday and so Peter Littlejohn and his mum, Diane, baked a cake and you can see here Kuniko making a wish as she blows-out the candles. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Kuniko showing the greenstone Koru necklace that the Club presented as a thank you to Kuniko for all her wonderful music at the Club and our Community events over the last 7 months. Everybody signed a card as well to wish her Bon Voyage. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Our special guest artist, Peter Parkinson made good use of the arranger aspect ot the Korg Pa588 with some fantastic grooves and amazing modern sounds. Peter is the manager of Music Planet Botany Downs branch. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

After the Concert, Left to Right: Peter Parkinson; Boo (friend of Peter Parkinson); Peter Parkinson; and Kuniko Nakatani. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood.

 

Posted by North Shore Music and Keyboard Club at 12:20 PM 0 comments

Sunday, November 3, 2013

The PumpHouse Theatre Concert on 3rd November 2013

This was the fourth concert in the series "A Sunday Afternoon Musical Spectacular at the PumpHouse Theatre" and what a concert it was! A good sized audience were entertained right royally in the first half by Takashi Iida on his superb state-of-the-art Yamaha Electone Stagea organ. Taka played nine pieces from the classics 'Wagner' to the show ballads like "I Dreamed a Dream" to some contemporary jazz with "A Taste of Honey". Superb orchestrations, masterful musicianship and wonderful, balanced selection of songs that simply dazzled the audience.

In the second-half we were delighted to have as our special guest artists, The Ben Fernandez Trio, with added sax player and two female vocalists. The photos below give the names of the players when you move your mouse over the appropriate photos. What a polished performance - you would not find better anywhere and it was an honour to have such talented musicians perform for the North Shore Organ and Keyboard Club's PumpHouse Concert Spectacular.

A big thank you to members of the NSOKC Committee for the logistics and namely: Jim Nicholson; Delyse Whorwood; Peter Brophy; and Peter Littlejohn. Also a special thank you to Sylvia Riddell for handling pre-bookings ticket distribution at the door and to Len Hancy for being our MC for the show and doing such a great job as always.

All in all, a concert for the archives of the memory and for those that did not share this very special occasion there will be some video clips posted on this Web Page in the next few days so keep posted.

The Video Clips:

Click on the start icon below to watch a YouTube embedded video of Takashi Iida playing his Yamaha Electone Stagea organ at the PumpHouse Theatre at the Concert:

Click on the start icon below to watch a YouTube embedded video of The Ben Fernandez Trio and Guest Artists playing A Concert for the Club at the PumpHouse Theatre (Part One of Two Videos):

Click on the start icon below to watch a YouTube embedded video of The Ben Fernandez Trio and Guest Artists playing A Concert for the Club at the PumpHouse Theatre (Part Two of Two Videos):

The Photos:

Ben Fernandez starting the show with a piano solo of Lorde's "Royal". The grand piano is a Bluthner. A virtuoso performance by one of our senior members, Takashi Iida playing his Yamaha Electone Stage organ. What a splendid selection of pieces for his recital and superbly executed of course! Taka really stole the hearts of the audience with his masterful musicianship. Takashi Iida eyeing-up the audience just before the start of his magnificent recital.Our MC for the Concert, distinguished Club member, Len Hancy. Setting-up for the second-half of the Concert. Ben Fernandez introducing the Band members to the audience.Five of the six artists making up The Ben Fernandez Band for the Concert. Left to right: Ben Fernandez; Maria O'Flaherty; David; Jason Orme; and Jim Langabeer. A fantastic drum solo by Jason Orme. Bass player David Hodkinson giving a solo excerpt.Maria O'Flaherty gave a stunning vocal rendition of the classic "Route 66". The Band in full flight. Jim Langabeer on Sax 'flirting' with Maria O'Flaherty. Whilst drummer Jason Orme keeps the temp nice and tight.Ben leading the Band with his superb touch on the Bluthner grand piano. Ben leading the Band with his superb touch on the Bluthner grand piano. The full band of 6. Left to Right: Ben Fernandez; June Hayes; Maria O'Flaherty; David Hodkinson; Jason Orme; Jim Langabeer.June Hayes and Maria O'Flaherty focussing on Jim Langabeer's stunning sax playing (off shot to the right). Jim Langabeer gave some virtuoso solo interludes. Ben Fernandez keeping it all together very masterfully.The team. Left to Right: David; Ben Fernandez; Joshua Fernandez; June Hayes; Jim Langabeer; Gordon Sutherland (President of the North Shore Organ and Keyboard Club); Maria O'Flaherty; Jason Orme; and Takashi Iida. The valedictory photo after the wonderful Concert.

Ben Fernandez with his beautiful wife, Maria, and son Joshua relaxing immediately after the show. The organizers of the Concert: far left, PumpHouse Theatre Manager, David Martin, and far right Gordon Sutherland, President of the North Shore Organ and Keyboard Club. The two key players from the Concert in the middle: Ben Fernandez and Takashi Iida. Ben's son Joshua showing his pride in his dad!

Posted by North Shore Music and Keyboard Club at 10:54 PM 0 comments
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