English organist will return to Masterton

SUPREME: Organist Chris Powell is to return to Masterton for two concerts at St Matthew's Church on March 19. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Elite organist Chris Powell is returning to Masterton for two concerts.

Convener Ray Stedman said the two concerts at St Matthew's Church on March 19 will be delivered on the Rodgers Trillium digital organ by Powell, who was "a great entertainer and the organ is his medium".

Powell was born in Manchester and with his family emigrated to Christchurch, Mr Stedman said, where he was first introduced to organ music as a pre-schooler at the Cathedral Boys' Grammar School.

In 1977 the Powells returned to Britain, where his interest in music continued as a chorister and student of the piano and electronic organ.

Powell was performing in public at 16 and playing for dancers in East Lancashire and West Yorkshire, where he also worked his first club residency, according to Mr Stedman.

His family about that time visited the world famous Blackpool Tower, where Powell vowed he would "play in here some day" after hearing the Wurlitzer played in the hallowed tower ballroom.

"Although met with some wry laughter at the time, he did indeed do this and at the age of 18, he was successfully auditioned to join the team of organists there as a relief player during the winter of 1990."

He continued playing both the Wurlitzer and also electronics at the complex for five years and while in Blackpool had also played to audiences that included former Labour Party Leader Neil Kinnoch and Princess Anne.

Powell has visited New Zealand more than a dozen times and travelled to Australia a half dozen times to perform shows, Mr Stedman said.

Other concert destinations for Powell have included Germany, Holland, Italy and the United States. He regularly tours Britain.

Chris Powell will stage his upcoming Masterton shows on March 19 at 1.30pm and 7.30pm.