MEMORIES of MIKE WALKER (A Pride of Pianists)
An evening of piano players who all had links to our late (great) AJBC president Mike (Spike ) Walker.
Lucas Kewell pianist/composer and youngest son of committee member Robin has just returned from his three years of study at the Jazz Campus in Switzerland and has organised a special piano night on Tuesday 6th October at the Auckland Jazz and Blues Club.
Mike had hoped to organise such an evening with Lucas when he was back on a visit two years ago but due to a limited time schedule it did not happen. So the event will now go ahead in honour of Mike.
The evening will start with Max McCulloch a student from Avondale college and winner of the Mike Walker most talented jazz pianist award at the recently held schools jazz competitions Others taking part are Ben Fernandez and his brother Bosco. Ben first met Mike 22 years ago when he was playing with his Montmatre quartet at Auckland Gallery. Mike introduced Ben to the Auckland Jazz and Blues Club and other jazz musicians, they became close friends and when a new piano was to be purchased for the club, Mike took Ben along for second opinion. Mike gave Ben his briefcase and music scores a few weeks before he passed and said it was “his to carry forward” Ben will be playing a duet with brother Bosco, who is a pianist and session musician with over 30 years in the profession.
The others in the line-up are Sandy Lynch who was a former pupil of Mike's, Kevin Field a regular to the club's music nights and also a tutor to Lucas at Auckland University. Lucas will be playing some pieces he composed for his bachelor's concert in Switzerland. There is also a planned 'appearance' from Joe Kaptein plus a few other surprises in store. A very special night in memory of a very special musician.
AJBC Members - $15
Birkenhead RSA Members - $15
Non-members - $25
Tertiary Students - $10 (Student ID Card must be produced)
Children - Free
Cash only. EFTPOS NOT available for entry charge. EFTPOS is available at bar and restaurant.
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.