BAN ON MOVING OF PIANO

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29791, 6 April 1962, Page 5

BAN ON MOVING OF PIANO

Jazz Player Uses

Another

In the United States two leading piano manufacturers competed to supply instruments for Dave Brubeck to use in his concerts, but in Christchurch last evening the jazz player had to use the second best. The Civic Music Council refused to allow its Steinway piano to be moved from the Civic Theatre to the Majestic theatre, where his concert was held.

However. Brubeck was quite happy to use a piano which formerly belonged to the Civic Music Council, and one which Winifred Atwell recently found very satisfactory.

No discrimination had been intended towards Brubeck by kite council in refusing its piano, said the secretary of the council (Mr L. F. de Berry). The council limited the hire of the piano to concerts in the Civic Theatre, as it could be damaged in being moved from theatre to theatre, he said.

Several jazz musicians, including Christchurch artists, had been allowed to use the piano. If Brubeck’s concert had been in the Civic, he would most probably have used it, too, said Mr de Berry. The council’s two previous pianos had been damaged in moving. The firm which had recently . completely overhauled the Steinway had recommended that it should stay in the theatre. The application for the piano to be hired for the Brubeck concert did not arrive in time to be considered by a meeting of the executive. It had been referred to the chairman of the piano committee (Mr C, Foster Browne) and he had refused to give his permission, said Mr de Berry.

A member of the executive said that several members would have supported the application if jt had been considered at a meeting. There was bound to be some discussion on the matter at the monthly meeting of the executive this evening, he said.