Concert Review: Michal Martyniuk – Ponsonby Social Club

From the ridiculous to the sublime, I dash from New Lynn to Ponsonby to catch Polish/Kiwi keyboard master Michal Martyniuk in concert.

Its my first time inside the Ponsonby Social Club and Martyniuk and his band are already making sweet music when I arrive just before 8:30. Just my luck that for once the band starts on time while I’m high-tailing it from one show to another.

It retrospect it makes sense as Martyniuk has arranged to live stream the show to his fans in Poland and, more importantly, to his fiancé who has just arrived to New Zealand and is cooling her heels in quarantine.

On this night Michel is accompanied by drummer Ron Samsom and Cameron McArthur on double bass. The trio wrap up a lovely ballad shortly after I order my drink.

When that tune subsides Michal invites his friend Nathan Haines on stage  to play out the remainder of the set.

After a Haines original, Michel tells the very attentive crowd that we are to hear a new composition. Song For Maya is for his gal who is listening in “managed isolation”. It’s not quite the Splendid Isolation Warren sang about, but I’m sure things will be splendid in two weeks’ time.

Meanwhile the quartet plays on, with the crowd in rapt attention as Nathan switches from sax to flute to clarinet. Martyniuk’s electric piano is full, rich and mellow and each musician takes his turn to shine on the final tune of the set.

I almost feel guilty that while the rest of the world suffers in a live music-free world during Covid, we here in New Zealand have such a wealth of talent to enjoy all to ourselves. Note, I said, “almost”. Welcome to New Zealand Maya!

Marty Duda

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