Chiho Sunamoto and Jon Smith
Chiho Sunamoto
July 5th 2008
Chiho Sunamoto
Concert Pictures
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It's said that, when the audience stays behind after a performance standing in groups chattering; it's a sign that they enjoyed the performance.
Well, it was a job to clear the hall on Saturday night following a wonderful performance from Chiho Sunamoto. Dressed in a lovely Japanese silk dress, slit to the thigh, she looked every bit the star that she is. On a warm July evening we were treated to an extravaganza of playing and singing by this talented lady who had a treat up her sleeve in the form of Jon Smith. Chiho opened with You Can Fly, from Peter Pan played on the Yamaha EL900. This was followed with Pirates of the Caribbean, from the film of the same name, starring Johnny Depp.
Next we heard a medley of sounds from gay Paris including If You Loved Me, played with an accordion sound, dramatic drum rolls and a lovely blue backdrop, courtesy of Keith.
A complete change followed, with a selection from the musical Chicago including Whenever We're Together and All That Jazz. George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue came next, played with lovely piano registrations and full orchestral backing. "Four hands are better than two", said Chiho as Jon played Tyros and sang with Chiho to Love Is Here ToStay, with a sax and mute trumpet registration on the EL. To a great piano registration we heard Fascinating Rhythm, with Jon on the Tyros and Chiho adding lovely strings and wind instruments from the EL900.
This was followed by Dreaming of a Song, smashing. A medley including Take the A Train and Sing, sing, sing followed. Slowing up, we heard I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserable with organ and strings, lovely.
A song entitled Nine Million Bicycles in Beijing, sung and played by Chiho on the Tyros, with whistle and piano was the next captivating piece. Ever heard of a melodica? Well, we were delighted to hear Jon play The Shadow of your Smile on this mini marvel, with Chiho on Tyros using guitar and strings, to a blue and red back drop.
We then heard Jon sing The Best is yet to Come, followed by Smile, sung by Chiho. To follow, we had the Sinatra number Come Fly With Me, played by Chiho on the Tyros accompanied by Jon singing the lyrics. Set to a soft orange background we next heard a Streisand medley including Evergreen, Love is Just the Two of Us, Somewhere, Second-hand Rose, Memories, The Way We were and Happy Days which were to round off the first half of the evening.
Returning to our seats refreshed by tea and biscuits, we were treated to a jaunty start to the second half with Camptown Races, played with snare drums and horns slowing down to a ballad tempo.
Set to a lovely blue backdrop, we heard Bluesette played to jazz piano and harmonica on the EL900 followed by The St Louis blues with full jazz organ and big band sounds. Glenn Miller's 'Moonlight Serenade' came next, played using a lovely, smooth clarinet.
Now it was on to Ireland, with a green background and Danny Boy or Londonderry Aire. "I love that sexy sax", says Chiho. So, now onto My One and Only Love, with Jon playing the Melodica and Chiho on EL900, with piano, strings and xylophone. Swapping to the EL900 Jon, using drawbar organ sounds played Tea for Two and A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, followed by Glow little Glow-worm.
With Chiho back on tyros we were entertained with A Foggy Day in London Town, with jazz piano and horns. Next, with Jon's pre recorded voice on the Tyros hard-drive, Chiho followed with Quando, quando, quando, using guitar and mellow strings. Back with Jon again, singing live, we heard Save the last Dance for me played in a Latin- piano style.
Next came What are you doing the rest of your life, played by Chiho on Tyros using piano and strings with Jon playing the Melodica. So, with the end now in sight, we heard Fly me to the Moon sung by Jon, played to a swing.
As is customary at our concerts, we requested an encore from our fabulous artists and were duly treated to Bobby Darin's The curtain Falls sung by Jon with Chiho playing the EL900.
Why not come along to a Basildon Keyboard Club Concert, you will be made very welcome, have a great evenings entertainment, a complimentary cup of tea or coffee with biscuits and of course experience the delights of live music played on top of the range electronic organs & keyboards by the best players.