Well-known Wellingtonian guitarist Jonathon Harper is no stranger to Aratoi – he has been playing in Wairarapa since the days of the Wairarapa Arts Centre. But he wanted a local flavour for his community concert this Saturday evening, so he enlisted the support of two Greytown musicians, Phil Hanson and Gerad Taylor. They will perform together in the Wesley Wing where Jonathon’s wife Catherine Manchester has her exhibition ‘Mythmakers’. “There is a certain synergy to this concert because some of the music was inspired by our six months stay in Rome after we were married,” says Jonathon. Many of Catherine’s paintings also reflect the colours, moods and memories of that time. Jonathon’s first set will feature solo guitar pieces covering classical Spanish music, flamenco and ragtime styles, with a few original favourites from his ‘Guitar Stories’ and ‘Amigos’ CDs. Next, Hanson and Taylor will perform with him a set of his own compositions, mostly with a Latin flavour. Harper likes to blend Latin music with other influences, and his song ‘Rhythm For The People’ fuses Brazilian chords with a Samoan Sasa (log drum) dance rhythm. They will finish with some singalong Kiwi classics like Don’t Dream It’s Over and April Sun in Cuba. Harper speaks Spanish and has toured and performed with many Latin American musicians. He has a busy concert schedule with over 100 concerts each year in small theatres, schools (including Rathkeale and Wairarapa colleges), art galleries, Te Papa, and (with his band) large outdoor festivals. He performs regularly in Wellington with NZSO violinist Robin Perks as the ‘Souvenir’ duo, and with Venezuelan singer/guitarist Erwin La Cruz as the ‘Pasion Latina’ duo. Reviewer John Gillies described one of his concerts as the “eavesdropping on an intimate musical treat” in which “the guitar pours out its soul.” Phil Hanson has always loved music but didn’t develop it fully until he joined The Gathering band at St Lukes church, Greytown, where he now plays regularly. Gerad Taylor describes himself as an enthusiastic amateur who studied jazz guitar in Wellington, and started playing in covers bands in his teens. Jonathon Harper community concert, Aratoi, Sat 16 March, 7-9pm. Tickets $10 (adult), $5 (child, student, unwaged). Currently showing at Aratoi: The Crystal Chain Gang - Fancy Fools Flight, until 17 March; Catherine Manchester, until 24 March; Something different – Chris Carew, until 24 March; Castlepoint Lighthouse: Celebrating 100 yearsof the Holiday Light, until 17 March.
Caption: Jonathon Harper (with mandolin) rehearsing for his concert with Gerad Taylor and Phil Hanson.