Flying fingers fascinate fans 

 

BY JULIA WADE

A maestro with magical fingers captivated local music lovers recently with a dazzling performance at an intimate house concert. 

Award-winning Australian guitarist, Nick Charles, was given a warm Mangawhai welcome when he took to the stage in front of a 40-strong audience on September 8, at a private venue. 

Charles entertained with personal life anecdotes and his renowned renditions of blues, folk and early ragtime as well as new material from a soon-to-be-released album – and covers of Jimi Hendrix’s ‘All Along The Watchtower’ and Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Albatross’.

Concert organiser – guitarist and founder of new local band ‘Hakaru Jam’ - Dennis Reeve says feedback for the event has been ‘really positive’. 

“I was most impressed by the amazing support for the concept, from Pat and Anne Maroulis as hosts giving us the use of their house, and also from the sell-out response from all of the attendees,” he says. “I also heard from Nick after he arrived back in Australia, he was really impressed with our modest gathering and volunteered to return to us for his next tour!”

On a two week New Zealand tour, Charles first performed in Katikati and Tauranga before heading north to Mangawhai. The two-time winner of Australia’s song contest, and recipient of the country’s highest folk accolade in 2014, the Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year performs on average 150 shows a year across the US, Australia and NZ. He has also taken the stage with musical icons such as BB King, Junior Wells and John Hammond.

The Mangawhai concert sold out in a short time with more people wanting to attend Reeves says.
 
“I'm only sorry that we were so limited in space, but those who unfortunately missed out will need to be even quicker off the mark for the next one. Yes, I have another even better possibility up my sleeve for later in the year. Watch this space!”

Known internationally as Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots and blues, Nick Charles transfixed Mangawhai locals at a recent intimate concert.  PHOTO/JULIA WADE