“I have performed in many places in the world but never before in a paddock on a camel farm and with such a high roof. This is absolutely magnificent”
These were the words spoken by the international trumpet player James Morrison at the inaugural event held in the new amphitheatre at Eremia Camel Treks West.
On the outskirts of Ravensthorpe over 400 patrons flocked to the “Picnic with The James Morrison Quintet” show in the perfect evening weather on Sunday 17 January.
The venue was excellent with the circle of native trees encompassing the steep grassed paddock slope, harmonising with the amphitheatre and facing the setting sun to the west – what could be more perfect? It’s perfect site. It was a relaxed picturesque scene facing the amphitheatre as people set up their chairs and tables or rugs and settled in for their picnic and an outstanding performance. As the evening grew dark the stage lighting created an ambience that will be remembered for a long time.
It was an honour for the entrepreneurial impresario Julia Bell that such an acclaimed performer and his supporting team would choose to come to the rural setting and to be a delight to music lovers of all ages. They were well rewarded.
James Morrison is a master instrumentalist taking music to the greatest heights. Unique and talented jazz player James played the trumpet and piano with spectacular genius. Well travelled, he and his son Sam had flown in from Austria on the Friday, performed at Mundaring Weir Hotel on Saturday, flown to Ravensthorpe on Sunday midday before performing the same evening.
Enhancing the stage in an attractive gold lamee dress was vibrant vocalist guest star Evelyn Duprai, a Ghanaian girl born in Sydney who is a truly captivating performer with passion and intensity. She thrilled the audience by singing jazz and funk, and included in her repertoire George Gershwin’s Summertime.
A drummer of no mean talent David Goodman forever smiling and plainly enjoying himself was beating the rhythms on the drums.
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Guitarists from Perth Tim Jago and base player Dane Anderson performed solos to the delight of the crowd. The lighting and sound equipment hired from Albany were perfect.
During the show MC Professor Patsy Hallen, who had earlier in the evening presented the introduction and welcomed the quintet and audience, brought onto the stage a bottle of champagne and invited James to do the honours. He duly carried it out by the christening amid a fountain of spray and named the new venue, The Eremia Amphitheatre. It was then Julia’s turn to sip the champagne bursting all over her face and James likewise amid cheers from the crowd. Julia presented gifts of the recently published local history book, Where the Boodie Rats Used to Dig to the players to remind them of Ravensthorpe.
The superb night of jazz included such well-known tunes as Georgia, Autumn Leaves and Fur Elise which brought enthusiastic ovations.
Patsy acknowledged a long list of faithful persons who had given of their time and effort to help Julia run the show to perfection. They included SES members, Keith Rowe, Pat Chadwick, Rodger Walker, Tom and Jenne Walker who manned the parking of cars and coaches, grounds lighting and others jobs: ambulance members on duty Helen Laycock, Jackie Button, Wendy Price and Christine Smith: Garry and Luke Webster for carting water for the grassed lawn area: Sam Jamieson chauffeur for the quintet and pilot: Judy Harp and Kerry Dickinson for sewing the material for the red and gold stage curtains: Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun Telecentres for selling tickets: Ainsley Foulds for organising the Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council subsidised Hopetoun coach: Sue Leighton for flower arrangements: Philip Tucker of Munglinup for long hours of hard work in preparation and his support: gatekeepers Glenda Baggaley and Carol Moroni of Bridgetown.
At the close of the evening a standing ovation brought the quintet back onto the stage for a final encore. The internationally acclaimed event is a credit to Julia.
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