Nico Brina: King of Rock and Show

 

It was going to be a good day. People felt as if spring was in the air

It was clear from the beginning even the organization had a good feeling about it!

Therefore in spite of the sweltering heat people came out in huge numbers for the show at the Singapore Botanic gardens’ Symphony Stage.

It had all the feelings of an event, a happening, a beautiful gathering of people of all likes and kinds 

in a spectacular setting.



We had agreed with our friends that we would meet up early, around 4 PM. Downside: the lawn was basking in full sunlight, upside: we had a beautiful spot in front. We had arranged with each other for a picnic and with ample food and drinks we had taken control over the front section of the slanting grass.

We thought it was better to come early because then we could do our picnic before the start of the show and pay full attention to it. With that we got a little bonus for braving the Singapore heat. Nico Brina, the star of the day, was doing some promotional photography and sound checking, 

while we were chewing on our sandwiches to address our appetite and drinking our beverages to stay hydrated.

It was clear from that introduction that Nico was going to give us a show that was worth watching. He was supported by a Singaporean drummer whose name escaped me and I was not able to track back from the event information.  I mean this guy

Nico, like us, ignored the fact that it was probably 35 degrees with a 85% humidity and did his thing, that moves between blues, boogie woogie and rock and roll! 

 
And when I say moves I mean moves, 

he was all over the stage in-spite of the fact that the piano was statically in the center.

Oddly enough, now I think of it, when he was not playing it sort of seemed the music continued! For me it could have been a minor over consumption of dehydrating liquids, but I think actually it was thanks to a fantastically setup show where nothing was too little or too much. 

Well nothing? Nothing but(t)!

Melissa Tham: Falling in love again! Perogative of a Diva.

With several articles in the news paper about her CD release Falling in love again at the Sing Jazz Club

there is nothing that I can add in words about Melissa Tham that professionals have not already said and no doubt much better.

Hong Chanutr Techatana-nan

There are not many professional photographers interested in the type of events where I tend to catch musicians though, so my amateur perspective is still new to whom it may concern.

Shawn Letts

Christy Smith

I went to Melissa’s CD launch on Thursday and did not take my camera. A decision I always seem to regret. Luckily for me there was a second chance on Saturday,

Jeremy Monteiro

and again luckily for me she had again pulled her hair back in a quirky pony tail. Cheekbones like that you do not hide.

Having seen the Thursday show, I also figured out where I would get the best shots, I thought, behind her Maestro Mentor, Jeremy Monteiro. 

That was the spot where I hoped to catch the most meaningful glances, and I did. But as the stage lighting at Sing Jazz is still a bit awkward, I ended up facing possibly the brightest light. 

I stuck to my guns and got some great expressions but many got lost in translation between what was there and what my sensor registered. As I said amateur.   

Still I hope you will find these as enjoyable to view as I found it enjoyable to listen to Melissa on Thursday and come back on Saturday to “fall in love again”