Jonathan Besser and Bravura at the Pumphouse

By WILLIAM DART

Launching a fundraising campaign for Takapuna's Pumphouse, Jonathan Besser and his group came up with stylish entertainment for a worthy cause in an evening with the atmosphere of a party.

It's impossible not to be drawn into Besser's world. He introduced his pieces in rapid free-association prose and, once he got down to pounding the piano, lived out the music in his every gesture.

The all-woman ensemble around him - violinist Miranda Adams, accordionist Tatiana Lanchtctikova and cellist Claudia Price - proved the perfect accomplices. They played their fingers off and still had the energy to whoop and foot-stomp.

Perhaps you have already been won over by the tangos on Bravura's wonderful new CD You Got Your Wish? There was certainly no shortage of Rudolph Valentino's favourite dance at the Pumphouse, where tango dancers squeezed on to the stage.

The insinuating waltz of Descending Minors, part-Euro cafe, part-Bernard Hermann, was irresistible, as was the wild, pumping chutzpah of Bass Deluxe.

Some of the shorter pieces, however, had a curious dryness as Besser set himself various composerly challenges.

A lot of his Besser's energy has gone into song-writing, in particular putting to music the aphorisms of 13th century Afghan poet and mystic Jelaluddin Rumi.

While some of his songs needed sharpening, the poignant melody of Bird without Wings, was a radiant winner, given a stunning performance from vocalist Jackie Clarke, whose lively participation was a major part of the evening's success.