He was born in Paeroa, educated there and in Rotorua, took his music skills to Australia 23 years ago and now he's coming back to the Bay of Plenty to benefit the men engaged in what's considered to be the world's second most dangerous occupation.

Craig Bowen – contemporary light jazz and classical pianist, flautist, saxophonist, guitarist and baritone – will give a 90 minute concert in the auditorium of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Macville Rd, Mount Maunganui on Saturday July 22.

It'll be preceded by a fine dining three-course dinner.

Craig is a grade eight Trinity College London musician and entertainer who has been principal musician at the well-known Rococo restaurant in Noosa, Queensland for 23 years.

Proceeds from the dinner and concert will go to the Seafarer's Mission which provides day to day help and support to one and a half million crewmen and women who keep the global economy afloat. Around 100 merchant ships are lost at sea every year and it is estimated more than 1000 seafarers die in one of the world's most dangerous occupations, second only to coal mining.

Working in 200 ports and 50 countries, the Mission has grown to become one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.

Its priority is the well-being and safety of seafarers who daily face issues like abandonment by unscrupulous owners, piracy, depression, despair, loneliness, overwork and dangerous weather conditions such as storms, hurricanes and typhoons. There are also collisions and groundings, and when that happens, the Mission picks up the pieces.

Tickets for the dinner and concert cost $35, concert only tickets cost $20. They are available from July 1 at the church office in Macville Rd, or phone 07 575 9347 for reservations.

Craig, who is the son of well-known Tauranga choirmaster and pianist Keith Bowen, will also give a presentation on the new Yamaha digital piano at Althorp Village Lodge on Sunday, July 23 at 2pm. Gold coin entry. Phone 07 543 4008 for reservations. Limited numbers.