May 15^th 2004 Charity concert

Featuring

The BKC Welcome Players

Is it really six months since our last Charity Concert? In no time at all the players were planning, practising and thoroughly rehearsing the individual programs. We also had the new super club speakers on stage and the new sound mixer, the chairman's rehearsal was to read the instruction manual, however, all was "well on the night!"

Alan Gwynell, playing his Ketron SD1, began the concert for us this time. He opened with 'All Or Nothing At All', showing off the lovely piano sounds before continuing with 'Tangerine' "playing" the sax this time. To follow a Big Band number 'Stomping At The Savoy' (super ending Alan!). John Jackaman accidentally switched off the lights on Alan during 'That Old Devil Called Love', however, they were soon back on. He then continued with a rumba entitled 'My One And Only Love' and to finish 'For All We Know'. A nice program Alan, you got some lovely sounds out of your keyboard with not a disk in sight!

Dorothy Pestell was next on stage with her Yamaha PSR 2000. She opened her program with a very nice rendition of 'It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing' set to a Tap Dance rhythm. A slow swing to follow with 'More Than You Know' before continuing with 'Moonlight In Vermont' with the organ voice was very smoothly changed over from left hand to the right, nice. Another uptempo number with 'It's Alright With Me', before changing style completely with a Country & Western number 'Wild In The Country' before concluding her program with a number composed by the late John Denver 'Perhaps Love'. A very nice variety of music Dorothy and all well played.

Arthur McCartney on his Yamaha Tyros had chosen four numbers for his appearance, beginning with 'Somewhere Out There', to which he sang as well. This he followed with 'A Day In The Life Of A Fool'. Arthur thought that his next number, played with lots of strings, was composed by Lionel Richie (?), 'With You I'm Born Again'. To conclude his program he played 'When You Tell Me That You Love Me', made famous, of course, by Whitney Houston. A very nice selection Arthur and also on the CD, which you produced. Ten copies were available, with members of the audience donating funds for these to the charity on the night.

Reg Kay once again opened the second half playing his Technics KN6000. He opened his program with a number often sung by the late Harry Secombe 'If I Ruled the World' before continuing with 'Autumn Leaves'. 'Tonight' set to a rumba from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story next got a look in which he followed with 'Meditation'. He then continued with a medley of a couple of lively numbers entitled 'Sweet Georgia Brown' & 'Five Foot Two - Eyes Of Blue'. Reg concluded his program by showing off the Hammond voices on his instrument with 'Fly Me To The Moon'. Well done Reg.

Catharina Griffiths began her program on her Yamaha Tyros with a very lively rendition of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', before slowing down with the theme from 'Last Of The Summerwine. Many folk still enjoy watching "Dad's Army", hence 'Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr. Hitler'? From the film "The Thomas Crown Affair", the beautiful 'Windmills Of Your Mind'. A bit of East European flavour with 'From Russia With Love' from the 007 series of films. The BBC Ice Skating transmissions feature James Last's composition ' Mornings At Seven'. The last number was dedicated to all the chaps in the audience 'The Magnificent Seven'. To many of you thanks for your kind words regarding my program.

Joyce Robertson on her Yamaha PSR2000 accompanied singer Tom Wallace, with both dressed in black trousers and blue tops beginning with 'Oklahoma' before continuing with a couple of rumbas: 'Give Me Your Word' & 'Your Eyes Are The Eyes Of A Woman In Love'. A very lively 'Do I Love You' & 'Swannee' followed. Fortunately it was not the case of 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head' on this lovely summer's evening. They carried on with 'Mary Lou' - 'I Saw The Light' & 'Cottonfields'. The Beatles number 'World Without Love' was played in Ballad style, before going uptempo with 'Saturday Night At The Movies' & 'Come Over To My Place', before concluding their lovely program with 'Wind Beneath My Wings'. Well done Joyce & Tom.

As is now traditional at the BKC all participants gathered back on stage for an encore, concluding the concert with 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

Choosing a new program, getting the music together and practise followed by more practise and then going up on stage can be nerve racking. However, as I said at the beginning "all was well on the night", both players and the audience enjoyed themselves. The sum of £92 was raised with a further amount of £46 with monies donated for Arthur's CDs, making the total of £138. Thanks to everybody for coming and your kind contributions, all monies raised will be forwarded to St.Lukes Hospice. (Catharina).

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.