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.

 

Club Night 5th May 2009

DIY Club Night but what a night it was with a goodly number of members making for a great atmosphere and superb music. We also had six different keyboards brought in by members to play. For variety we had the Technics GA3 organ wound-up by June McCrorie (her Club debut) and the Clavinova showed-off by our Club Secretary, Colleen Kerr.

 

Alan Wilkins did the honours for our arrival music playing his newly acquired Yamaha Tyros2 keyboard. Alan had an unfortunate incident with his car on his way to the Club but being as conscientious and enthusiastic as he is, this did not stop him entertaining the audience superbly.

 

 

 

 

June McCrorie did her debut at the Club on the Technics GA3. Well done June the first is always the most nerve racking and you came through with shining colours.

 

 

 

 

Ngaire Lonergan played her Technics KN2600 which sounded great especially plugged into the Clavinova to boost the sound for the hall. Well done Ngaire!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Jackson brought his Korg Pa1X and gave us a brilliant performance incorporating playing, singing and jokes that had us 'in tuts' laughing. Good stuff Peter. Peter is also the Vice-President of the Hibiscus Organ and Keyboard Club.

 

 

 

Club Secretary, Colleen Kerr gave us a masterly performance on the Club's wonderful Clavinova CVP-305. Colleen played: Moonglow; Up A Lazy River; and Dark Town Strutter's Ball.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pam Rea, President of the Hibiscus Organ and Keyboard Club and long-time member of our Club, brought her beloved Korg Pa80 and what a nice choice of songs, including one of the writer's current favourites "Greenfields". Very nice Pam as always.

 

 

 

 

 

Doug Farr tuning his Bass Woofer to optimize the sound of his pedal board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here you can just see Doug Farr's pedal board which is a plug-in module for the KN7000 and what a great enhancement to the sound for certain pieces that he played to demonstrate the use of manual bass pedals. Great keyboard, great playing Doug. Thanks for bringing all the gear along and giving us so much pleasure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Club member and renowned professional musician, John Bercich, gave us a cameo on his Korg Pa1X and wow John is really starting to make this baby talk. John makes extensive use of the Songbook database built into the keyboard to instantly recall all his settings for each song. Show stopping John - thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule of gigs. Check with your local RSA to see when John is appearing - he plays under the name of "Swingstarz" which includes vocalist, Barry Findon.