SOUTH WAIRARAPA REBUS CLUB

ALEX NYMAN – GREYTOWN MUSICIAN

Our mini-speaker this month was Anne Dodd. Anne was born in Glasgow where she came from a very happy household. She went to university at St Andrews for four years in the early 60’s which was a great time for the education programme in Scotland and gave students a broad basis for the rest of their lives. At that time St Andrews was very much a “town and gown” city of a modest size – about the size of Masterton.

She married Richard in 1967 and set up home in Edinburgh where she worked in Edinburgh Library. Richard was head hunted to New Zealand in 1967. They looked on this opportunity as a great adventure and spent a lot of time after their arrival exploring the great outdoors of New Zealand.

They moved to Martinborough in 1985. Anne then used all the experience she had gained for our benefit by becoming the Martinborough librarian where her service was much appreciated by the residents of Martinborough for 23 years! Following Richard’s career involved them in living in other countries from time to time when the children were small and experiencing other languages and cultures which greatly enriched their lives.

Our main speaker was Greytown musician saxophonist and flautist Alex Nyman. Alex has worked with blues and soul music greats such as BB King and Wilson Pickett. He has also played in big bands and orchestras backing an impressive retinue of singers such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr, Shirley Bassey to name a very small sample.

Alex’ career has taken him around the world including stints of two years on the QEII where he met lots of good musicians who came on board to play from time to time. He played with a band in London which played for functions and was then asked to go to Monte Carlo to play there. He became resident saxophonist for the Music & Sports Club. Following this he was based in London for ten years and did a lot of West End theatre work.

Alex then gave us a very informative talk (and demo!) on the various instruments he plays including the soprano, tenor and alto saxophones, piccolo, concert flute, alto flute and bass flute.

A fascinating insight into the life of a musician and the huge range of instruments available to a musician of the calibre and experience of someone like Alex.

Anyone who would like more information on our Rebus Club and our various interest groups are very welcome to contact Margaret Griffiths on 306-8102.