Club Night 4th February 2025

 What a great start to the Year. A good attendance of members and visitors were entertained by a diversified and somewhat eclectic range of music styles and instruments. For the intro, the arrival music was shared between Graeme Webber and Warren Levick on our Yamaha Clavinova CVP-809 ensemble piano. Thanks guys some great music to get us into the mood. Graeme Webber then gave us a performance with a range of jazz standards, some with added vocals. Good stuff, thanks Graeme. Next up, our member Linus Treefoot brought along his Korg Havian 30 ensemble piano. Linus played some classics (with an interesting 'twist') and a highlight was a song he had composed for Auckland City - great song! Linus brought along his friend John Lethaby who gave us some solo performances on his acoustic guitar, harmonica, and vocals. To finish their set, Linus and John did some duets culminating in a great, foot tapping traditional Russian folk song. Well done guys, very entertaining.

After a refreshments break, we were entertained by our formal guest artists for the evening - Ken Naidu on our Clavinova CVP-809 piano and accompanied on some numbers by a music colleague, Denholm Orr on double bass. The focus was on light jazz numbers with some amazing instantaneous changes of key as called out by the audience! High quality music and much appreciated by the discerning audience. Ken Naidu, CEO of NZ Musicians Collective, pianist, composer and performer.  Ken is resident pianist for Accor Hotels Group and a Steinway piano company ambassador.

The Videos:

Ken Naidu (piano) and Denholm Orr (double bass)
Playing at our Club as our very special Guest Artists

Ken Naidu's BIO

"Ken Naidu is an award-winning Session Pianist and Composer.
He has played and collaborated with a wide range of both New Zealand and international artists from Iris Dunn to Sol3 Mio.
His international recognition is evident, with music premiered in over twenty countries, and performances at over thirty venues across the world.
Ken is the founder and CEO of The NZ Session Collective and works deeply within the networks of the NZ music industry. His relentless pursuit of excellence is guided by a blend of passion, purpose, and a deep understanding of the musical universe."

Timestamps:

Tunes played:

0:29   - Nardis | Bill Evans
  8:45   - Fly Love | Rio
  14:41 - Smile | Charlie Chaplin
  19:57 - Ken's Improvisation Game
  25:47 - Summertime | George Gershwin, Arr. Artley
  31:04 - Dark Eyes (Ochi chyornye) | Yevhen Hrebinka

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John Lethaby and Linus Treefoot. John on guitar and harmonica
and Linus Treefoot on his Korg Havian 30 ensemble piano

The Photos:

Warren Levick playing the arrival music

Graeme Webber playing the piano
with added vocals on some numbers

Linus Treefoot playing his Korg Havian 30

Linus Treefoot playing his Korg Havian 30 accompanied
by John Lethaby on guitar, harmonica and vocals

John Lethaby playing his guitar
with harmonica and vocals

Our Guest Artists:
Ken Naidu playing our Yamaha CVP-809 ensemble piano
and accompanied on double bass by Denholm Orr

Ken Naidu playing our Yamaha CVP-809 ensemble piano
and accompanied on double bass by Denholm Orr.
Denholm is seen here using a bow to play the double bass!