Local musicians are in concert mode
Many local musicians are racing from one rehearsal to another as several groups are busy preparing for upcoming concerts.
The Taranaki Youth Orchestra and Jay Band were sounding great in their first rehearsal together, tightly packed in the band room under the baton of Morrine Martin, aka The Sea Dragon’’ – actually the name of a piece she specially commissioned, but it might stick!
Don’t miss Combined Forces Saturday May 5 at 3pm in the Theatre Royal.
Tickets from Pianoworks, Musicworks and Palmers Garden Centre or at the door (cash only).
The senior band, The Devon Hotel New Plymouth Brass, is working on a special offering for Mother’s Day: To Mum with Love, celebrating all mums, grandmothers, aunts, wives, meaningful partners and girlfriends. The programme, conducted by Leigh Martin (aka The Sea Dragon’s Husband), includes such standards as Puttin’ on the Ritz, Theme from Love Story, The Blue Danube, I Could Have Danced All Night, and a medley of Famous British Marches.
The outstanding dance group, Dance Connections, will add pizzazz to the occasion. Guest soloist is former band member and brilliant vocalist Jessica Boniface, recently back from a gap year in England and now studying commerce and music at Victoria University. A former winner of the K. H. Spears Musical Theatre Contest, she is well known to Taranaki audiences, having frequently performed with the band and at Christmas at the Bowl.
Treat your special lady at the Devon Motor Lodge, on Sunday May 13 at 2pm. Tickets at the door: Adults $18, students $5, children $2, under 5 free.
Last month’s Taranaki Jazz Club afternoon was enjoyed by a capacity crowd, and two of the starring musos, Greg Crayford and James Tait-Jamieson, return for the next event on Sunday May 6, when they join Neil Worboys, Geoff Keith and Nick van Dijk as Wellington Heads.
The traditional jazz line-up has been thrilling jazz festival and club audiences with their clever songwriting skills, and sharp, energetic musicianship for more than 10 years. Their unique sound is influenced by Chicago and Kansas style jazz - a mix of rhythm n’ blues, swing, soul and latino grooves - combined with their eclectic original and jazz standards.
Doors open at The Mayfair at 4pm for a 4.30pm start. Cash/ cheque admission: General $25, Jazz club members $15, students $4.
Christopher Luke will present his 99th organ recital in Taranaki on Tuesday May 1 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church at 1pm (counting down to the 100th on May 17). In between he’s busy working with Ars Nova Choir and Ars Antiqua Chamber Orchestra towards the magnificent Mendelssohn oratorio Elijah on May 26 at the Theatre Royal at 7.30pm. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketek.
More on this next column.