Creative Keyboard Club March 2016 Meeting

Marlene Forrest was the MC for the occasion and the arrival music was played by Denise Gunson on clavinova. This was our clubs 25th Anniversary celebration. "Many Happy Returns Creative" with 276 meetings to date! Thankyou to the Farley's for the beautiful anniversary cake.
Our program ...
Pam Rea on keyboard with "No Business Like Show Business" and "One Of Those Things"
Hana Tani (our youngest member and already an accomplished pianist) on clavinova with "Sonata in D Major" and "Flight of The Bumble Bee"
Barbara McNabb on clavinova with "On My Own" and "Wouldn't It Be Loverly"
Peter Torckler on keyboard with a varied selection from Latin American to classical including Mendelssohn's "Spring Song", "Wave", "Kiss me A Lot". Peter (our club founder) also gave us some interesting background on the foundation of the club.
Many thanks to all those in the first half. A great start to our afternoon.

Musician Kane Steves (also a club member from age 8 and former pupil of Peter Torckler) was our guest artiste. Kane brought along the latest Korg PA4X keyboard (Italian assembled) to demonstrate. This retails for $7,500 and Kane assures us there is a club discount (however only the one for sale at the moment so be in quick!). The Harmonize button (vocals) was put to good use with "Crying Time" and other tunes included a Swing medley "Fly Me To The Moon" and "All Of Me" (with vocals), "Who's Sorry Now" (Dixieland style), "More" (demonstrating the amazing Steinway Grand Piano), "Lost Without You", "In The Mood " (Quickstep). There was a country selection "Green, Green Grass of Home", "On The Road Again" and ending with "Turkey in the Straw". Amazing guitar sound with "Cavatina" and Kane finished up on clavinova with "Piano Man". A great example of what a former club member can do! Many thanks Kane.

More pics in the Photo Gallery

Creative Keyboard Club February 2016 Meeting

This was our first meeting for the year. Marlene Forrest was the MC for the ocassion and the arrival music was played by Peter Jackson on keyboard.
Our Program ...
Marlene Forrest was first up with "Viya Con Dious" and "Tango Albeniz" on her keyboard
George Markwick on his Korg PA800 with "And I Love You So" and "You Are My Sunshine"
Noni Walker played "Tea For Two" and "Song For Guy"
Peter Jackson was back with "St Louis Blues" and "Dance In The Old Fashioned Way"
Colin Crann on keyboard with "Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me" and "On Green Dolphin Street"
Rob Powell finished the first half with "Blue Skirt Waltz" and "Slipping Around"
Many thanks to these club members who return time and time again to entertain us. Any new players are very welcome.

Our quest artiste was jazz musician Murray Hancox - keyboard, clavinova and vocals. Songs included "Unchain My Heart", "I'm Walking", "Save The Last Dance For Me", "Misty", "Harbour Lights" and included many requests "Eleaner Rigby", "Blue Moon", "Summertime", "Fly Me To The Moon". Much enjoyed by all Murray and we do look forward to your visits.
(The writer was unable to attend this month and no pics available)

Creative Keyboard Club December 2015 Meeting

MC for the occasion was Marlene Forrest and the Christmas arrival music was played on clavinova by Denise Gunson. The Farley's once again made a beautiful job of the cake.
Program ...
Mary Barrett was first up on her Korg keyboard with a short excerpt from the 'Warsaw Concerto', 'Body and Soul', 'This Masquerade' (a medley with a Christmas ending) and 'Zing! Went The Strings of My Heart'
The Creative Quartet of 3 keyboards and piano consisting of Marlene Forrest, Barbara Powell, Barbara McNab and Rob Powell, played 'C'est Magnifique', 'Chicago', It's Now or Never' and 'C'est Si Bon'. This was their debut performance
Denise Gunson on clavinova ended the first half with 'The Way You Look Tonight', 'La Vien Rose', 'Chen Son De More', 'Bye Bye Blackbird' (lounge style) and 'At Twilight Time'
After a sumptous afternoon tea the Hamper's were drawn and we settled back to enjoy the 'Jackson 5'.

Our guests: Chris Larking on clavinova, Ian Jackson on drums, Richard and Michael on Lead Guitars and Tony on Bass Guitar. Lots of Jazz, Rock 'n Roll and Country music, some with vocals and all with a good toe tapping beat ... there was dancing in the isles and singing to add to the party atmosphere. Tunes included 'Autumn Leaves', 'Moondance', 'Last Night', 'Livin' Doll', 'It Doesn't Matter Anymore', 'Ring of Fire', 'Move It', 'Bird Dog', 'I'm Going to Knock on Your Door', 'Just walk On By', 'Me and Bobby McGee'. They sure showed us their professionalism and everyone had a ball! Thank You All for a wonderful afternoon.

More photo's in the Photo Gallery

Creative Keyboard Club November 2015 Meeting

Creative Keyboard Club November 2015 Meeting

Barbara McNab was the MC for the occasion and the arrival music was played on clavinova by Audrey Henden.
Program ...
Laurie Condor on his Roland keyboard with 'Save The Last Dance For Me' and 'I Saw Her Standing There'
Sylvia Joseph on her keyboard with 'Whispering Hope' and 'Il Silenzio' (The Silence), very appropriate for this Remembrance Sunday
John Beale on his  keyboard with 'This Can't Be Love' and 'Somebody Did Somebody Wrong Song'
Allan Powell on his keyboard with 'Beer Barrel Polka' and 'Sunday Morning Coming Down' (with vocals)
Peter Jackson on his keyboard with 'What I Did For Love' and 'Grown Up Christmas List' (both with vocals)
Sandi Crawford (debut) on her keyboard with 'Dark Haired Marie' and a toe tapping Irish Medley
David Winslade (debut) on his Tyros 4 with 'I Dreamed a Dream' and 'Pretty Woman' (with vocals)
A very talented bunch and with vocals to boot. Thank you all, it was a great start to the afternoon.

Our guest this week was piano accordionist Lionel Reekie. Lionel started with 'Under Paris Skies' and 'Ain't Misbehavin' (with vocals). We were treated to some history and explanation on the internal workings of the modern accordion. Lionel's tunes included 'Orange Blossoms', 'Quando, Quando, Quando', 'Hush-a-bye Now', 'I've Got You Under My Skin' and 'Buona Sera Signorina'. A good mixture with some wonderful vocals thrown in. Thank you Lionel, it's always a pleasure to hear you perform and we look forward to your return next year.

More photos of the occasion are in our Photo Gallery



Creative Keyboard Club October 2015 Meeting

Creative Keyboard Club October 2015 Meeting

Marlene Forrest was the MC for the occasion and Colin Crann played the arrival music.
Program ...
Michael Bramley on keyboard with 'All I Ask Of You' and 'Bridge Over Troubled Waters'
George Markwick on keyboard with 'Heartaches By The Number' and 'Lonesome Tonight'
Marlene Forrest on clavinova with 'Feelings'
Sue Bain on clavinova with 'Tammy'
Barbara Powell on keyboard with 'You Are My World' and 'Colours of The Wind'
Colin Crann on keyboard with 'The lady Is A Tramp' and 'The Man I Love'
Denise Gunson on clavinova with 'Titanic' and 'Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps'
Thus ended the first half with even some dancing in the aisles!
Thanks everyone for an entertaining first half and remember if anyone wishes to play (even if you are a beginner and age is no object) just contact Marlene who will book you in.

Our guest artist was Rob Powell who plays keyboard and clavinova and who was joined by wife Barbara for some items. Songs included 'You Make Me Feel so Young', 'Stars Fell On Alabama', 'Magic Is The Moonlight' (duet), 'I Get Ideas' (duet), 'I Know Why and So Do You', 'Wonderful Copenhagen', 'A Little On The Lonely Side', 'You Are My Everything', and 'Hurrah for Hollywood'. Thank you Rob and Barbara once again.

Unfortunately no photos this time as the editor was away

Creative Keyboard Club September 2015 Meeting

Creative Keyboard Club September 2015 Meeting
The MC for the occasion was Marlene Forrest and the arrival music was played by Roy Steen on his Korg keyboard.
Our Program ...
Ros Bissett on keyboard with 'Misty' and 'You Can't Take That Away From Me'
Jimmy Puppyn on keyboard with 'Climb Every Mountain' and 'Out of Nowhere'
Audrey Henden (club debut) on clavinova with 'Star Dust' and 'Georgia'
Diane Lyons on keyboard with 'For All We Know' and 'Hello Dolly'
Roy Steen was back on his impressive looking korg combo with 'Singing In The Rain' and 'No Business Like Show Business'
Finally to end the first half we had Ian Jackson on clavinova with 'Autumn Leaves' and 'Memory'

Our guest artist was Chris Larking accompanied by his sons Alex (saxophone) and Josh (guitar and vocals). Chris brought a Yamaha S670 keyboard and commenced with 'Let's fall in Love', 'House of The Rising Sun' and 'Spanish Flea'. Josh was up next with his guitar and vocal rendition of 'Autumn Leaves' and 'Bourbon Street'. Chris with 'Stormy Weather' and some Chopin followed by 'Somewhere My Love' which morphed into 'Land of Hope & Glory' and 'Climb Every Mountain'. Alex (who is only in his first year of studying the sax) with the theme from the New World Symphony ('Going Home'). Chris continued on clavinova with 'Joseph & His Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat', 'Close Every Door' and the Elton John 'Your Song'. The trio then jammed which included the 'William Tell Overture', 'Song of Joy', 'Rule Britannia', 'Waltzing Matilda' and 'God Defend NZ' - an overall good selection from 'The Pops'. Well done boys, you both have great musical futures ahead of you following in your dad's footsteps.
Many Thanks to all our performers today.

 

More photos can be seen in the Photo Gallery

Creative Keyboard Club August 2015 Meeting

Creative Keyboard Club August 2015 Meeting

The MC for the occasion was Marlene Forrest and the arrival music was played on clavinova by Yuko Tani.
The program ...
John Beale on keyboard with 'Just One More Chance' and 'Fools Rush In'
Hanna Tani (Yuko's daughter) on clavinova with 'Fur Elise' and 'Storm'
Pam Rea on keyboard with 'The Masquerade' and 'Music to Watch Girls By'
Peter Jackson on keyboard with 'Delicado' and 'Yesterday' (also vocals)
Barbara McNab on clavinova with 'Frim Fram Sauce' and 'Red Red Robin'
Colin Crann on keyboard with 'Making Whoopie' and 'I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling'

Our guests today were the North Shore Youth Accordion Orchestra lead by Christine Johnstone. We were fortunate to have Lionel Reekie giving the introduction and an explanation on the capabilities of the these accordions. The full orchestra commenced with '16 Going On 17' which was accompanied by their young drummer. Individual children then took to the stage to play their solos. The full orchestra concluded with 'The Pink Panther'. Terrific to hear the children again and a great reminder that all ages are very welcome at our club each month. A BIG thank you to all our performers.
The editor was away this month but ably represented by Beverly Barnes ... Thanks Bev!
Photos will be posted as soon as available.