sima piano fundraiser night

sima - sydney improvised music association
piano - a brand spanking new yamaha c7 grand piano
fundraiser - they now need the funds to pay for this $50,000 item
night - 6 local pianists playing in solo mode on this stunning looking instrument
it's a full house tonight with a buzz of anticipation in the air
the piano centre stage under the spotlight looking the part
a couple of quick and appropriate speeches and into the music
andrew robson (sans saxophone) playing mc for the night

judy bailey is first up and announces her nervousness at this responsibility
i've not seen or heard her but understand she is well respected
particularly amongst her peers and the jazz fraternity
her first tune sounds like a scott joplin ragtime piece
which sounds out of place to my ears in this venue
but at it's conclusion judy informs us of her intention
tonight she is going to play a sample of tunes from the greats
ellington, waller, monk, corea some of the names quickly mentioned
30 minutes of lovely music which sets a fine standard for those to follow

chris abrahams is next and for me one of the likely highlights of the night
i'd got there early enough to have a choice of seat and so well positioned
looking directly onto the pianists and able to clearly see their hands at work
which is the most striking thing about the playing of chris abrahams
his body remains largely motionless throughout his performance
tonight his hands and fingers flutter continuously across the keyboard
this piece of improvisation totally beguiling in it's form and presentation
building to a climactic and familiar sounding conclusion (the necks?)
chris quietly exitting the stage to rousing applause from an engaged audience

mark isaacs is then introduced - he being the instigator of the purchase of the piano
so this his first performance on it is of special significance for all concerned
in contrast to those who have gone before mark isaacs is a visual performer
legs stomping, head swaying, sitting/standing, voice and mouth at work
and in one part of his improvised performance his head resting on the piano
while his hands continued to be used to demonstrate his dexterity as a performer
one of his favourite tricks is to stand and manipulate the strings in the piano's body
which had me thinking this piano is now well and truely inducted into the sound lounge
his performance providing another example of the diversity of the local talent

matt mcmahon provides another contrasting performance for the evening
choosing to stand at the microphone before each piece to explain it's source and inspiration
so back into compositon rather than improvisation for his time under the spotlight
matt explains that unaustralian of the year has been written for the ocassion
thereby demanding complete attention from a quiet and respectful audience
there's a very strong sense of melody with his lightness of touch on the keyboards
this and every other tune highlighting the beautiful tones the piano is emitting
his music to me not far removed from the george winston windham hill 80's sound
which may be an unfair comparison for this accomplished contemporary performer

mike nock would hold a senior position on the board of trustees for jazz music
a much loved and admired musician, composer, mentor and entertainer
tonight he is on stage and giving his verbal blessing to the significance of the new piano
essentially providing a guarantee that it alone will be a major drawcard
he then tentatively takes his position and gives us a sample of his own skills
in a way providing a summary of all that has gone before in this evenings performances
he is a confident improvisor, but his sense of tune and melody is also apparant
so in a very short time he is well in command of the instrument
but it's all over very quickly - perhaps things are running late - we settle for quality

rai thistlethwayte has been included on tonight's bill in a touch of genius
i'm sure there would have been a few sneers in the audience - a pop singer!
but this chap is also an accomplished jazz pianist with his own large audience
so he is more capable than most of moving sima and it's music to a bigger place
tonight he set the scene by striding on stage and reciting a poem from his blackberry
then proceeded to belt out 2 long pieces of stunning rock-infused jazz piano
i spent most of the time looking on in wonder at his skills and sense of timing
thinking that being lead singer of thirsty merc must be like a day job
providing the necessaries to indulge himself as tonight in some serious piano-playing

all in all a very special night - musically sensational - hopefully financially so also