Visiting us 28th October 2019 Chris Jones
Chris’s interest in music began at 11 with piano he moved to the electronic organ at 13 and by the time he was 14 he was performing for Orpington organ society and his school. Later work found him a role as Deputy organist at the Streatham Ice rink. In 1985 Chris met David Lingwood at the first Caister Keyboard Festival and then after he turned professional. He has played for many societies all over Britain and at most major festivals. In 1991 he worked as Showroom Manager for Wersi at their UK headquarters in Purley in 1994 for GIG Sounds in Streatham, South London in 1995 at Rose-Morris in the West End. In 1996 he was offered the job as Manager of Roland Friday Keyboards, but in January 1997 Roland Friday sold the retail business to Music Land. Chris continues to work for them on a part time basis with David Harrild.
Chris’s musical tastes cover a broad spectrum, though he is particularly keen on Musicals, Marches, Romantic Ballads and Latin American.
Posted in Newsletters Tagged with: BOKC, Brentwood Organ Keyboard club, Chris Jones, Live music, mountnessing, steve morl
Concert review 2019-07-22 Lewis Scott
Lewis, a young and keen instrumentalist provided our concert and was assisted in ‘setting up’ by his family. It was apparent that they are all very enthusiastic, in itself appealing by their dedication. Lewis produced a rounded selection of music with a bias toward theatre organ, all played faultlessly but played ‘straight’ and at a tempo that seemed to warrant a little more pace. His personal style perhaps is still developing together with his audience repartee, nevertheless, so rewarding to see a young and talented performer at the keyboard.
Some of the music played included – Colditz theme, Murder on the orient express, Hushaby mountain, A night in Tunisia, Tenderly, The last waltz (Englelbert Humperdink), Midnight in Moscow. Tonight, Don’t go breaking my heart, your song (Elton John). Quando Quando, Teco Teco. Stranger on the shore (Acker Bilk). Theme from ET.
After the interval – I’m still standing (Elton john). Stardust, Telstar, My Cherie Amour, Take the ‘A’ train, Titanic theme, A medley from Westside story,
For the encore Co Co Cabana.
Lewis’s instrument was a Roland Atelier AT900C with full pedalboard
Posted in Concert Review Tagged with: BOKC, brentwood, Brentwood Organ Keyboard club, Essex, Lewis Scott, mountnessing, steve morl
Concert Review – 26th November 2018 – Steve Allison
Sadly due to the untimely passing of Chiho Sunamoto the club was at a loss for an artiste to perform at our concert of the 26th November until Steve Allison revealed that he was available for the evening.
Steve gave us a night of music that was distinctly his own. Very much he seemed to favour ‘marches’ and if you were a lover of this style then it would have been your night. There was though variety but each segment of the evening contained music that Steve had no doubt deliberately grouped, due to perhaps, being able to maintain a tempo or backing. However the evening contained music that at some point would have appealed to all. Without him we would have been turning all away at the door. So a big thank you to Steve for entertaining us for the evening.
Some of the music we heard included.
A medley to commemorate WW1 The songs of the troops. ‘If’, A quick step medley in the style of the tower ballroom. One moment in time, A selection of ‘Spanish holiday music’ Angel in blue,. Misty, Unforgettable, Games lovers play. Barbaretta march, (Bridge to far) A selection of waltz’s, A samba, Oh my beloved father, Theme from the battle of Britain, aces high, Every thing I do, Solitaire.
Steve was recalled to provide an encore for which he produced a medley music in an ‘Um- Pah’ style.
All in all . Our thanks to Steve who rescued the evening.
Posted in Concert Review Tagged with: A concert – The Organist Entertains, BOKC, brentwood, brentwood organ, Brentwood Organ Keyboard club, concert, Live music, mountnessing, Steve Allison
27th February 2017, Another cold evening for a concert but we were treated to a comprehensive evening of great musical variety at the hands of John Cooper, hands which he was rubbing together to warm his fingers, two of the heaters in the hall were out of order. At least by the forthcoming March concert we should be moving into spring and perhaps warmer weather? John punctuated his music with a good sense of humour between pieces. As he started to play he slipped off his shoes to operate the pedals in his socks. He didn’t want to scratch the pedals… Whilst playing, John’s father maintained a projected video relevant to the music as an inset on the screened images of keyboard and pedals.
The evening opened with music in the stile of James last, the Elizabethan serenade, we heard music from Les Misérables, a variety from Disney, Hans Zimmer’s pirates of the Caribbean. Further pieces included, The Rose, Hero, Unforgettable, Bring him home, Conquest of Paradise, Palladio, and a very soulful rendition of ‘Morning in Cornwall’. Eventually the concert reached the end of the evening and John returned to play ‘Time to say goodbye’ as his encore.
The instrument John brought with him was a Yamaha Stagea ELS-02C. Apparently these are very rare in the UK perhaps only two models including John’s. It seems one can be purchased here for £25,000 or as John did, journey to Japan and bring your own back for about £6,000 or was it £8000? Well out of interest I checked and today you can buy one direct in Japan for 1,036,800 Japanese Yen or in good old GBP £7,862.96p
John’s Yamaha Stagea ELS-02C
Posted in Concert Review Tagged with: A concert - The Organist Entertains, BOKC, brentwood, concert, john cooper
