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Category: Concert

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After a UK run of Dire Straits Experience gigs in June and July, attention in now focused on Europe with many weekends spent flying back and forth. We started with Croatia beginning of June and then  moved onto Copenhagen and Norway. Im currently writing this entry from a hotel room in Bad Dürrhiem where we’ll be gigging tomorrow at the Rathausplatz. With fully packed houses and standing ovations it’s clear that there’s a lot of Dire Straits fans out there who just want to hear the music performed, live and authentically ….with Chris White (DS sax player of 10 years) at the helm, they can be assured of that…

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On Monday the 7th of May I will be appearing at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival in the Yamaha Discovery Space. After my announcement last September, about  joining forces with Yamaha, this event represents the first actual appearance under the Yamaha banner. I’m really looking forward to playing as a Soloist again and putting their famous Clavinova digital piano through its paces. 

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This weekend in Zurich represents the first of many gigs scheduled until November with the Dire Straits Experience.  Most of the weekends this Summer will involve weekend trips abroad to Europe. There’s even a two week tour in Australia in September to look forward to. Thanks to Sax player and original DS member, Chris White, this band just keeps going from strength to strength. 

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I'm pleased to be back working with Spike Edney’s (Queen’s keyboard player) All Star band next week in London for a one-off gig. After three intense rehearsal days we’ll be supporting Alexandra Burke of X-Factor fame, Andrew Strong, lead singer from the Commitments movie and Brian McFadden of Westlife. All new artists for me to work with. And a wicked band to boot !

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After a ten year wait, It’s finally back. The ‘Forty Years Of Disco’ Arena tour will be appearing in Leeds, London, Birmingham and Liverpool this coming week.  Im both proud and excited to be the Musical Director for this extravaganza. The artist line-up reads like a whosiswho of 70s pop music. A treat for any musician to work with the original artists of this magical era of pop music.  Sadly ‘The Real Thing’ have had to cancel after the shocking news of Eddie Amoo’s death only a few weeks ago. In their place, Eban Brown of the Stylistics will be serenading the audience with his distinctive falsetto tones.

The six piece house band of hand-picked musicians will certainly have it’s work cut out with nearly 35 songs to play in what looks to be a very entertaining evening.

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I’ve just returned from Dubai after five Christmas-themed concerts with the London Concert Orchestra, part of the Raymond Gubbay series. The performances took place at the Opera house with a 20 (plus) piece orchestra and 10 singers including soloists Alison Jiear and Matt Little. Temperatures may have been in their upper 20s outside, but inside you could easily have been fooled by the numerous Christmas jumpers and light-hearted seasonal banter. Another first for me as the resident Synth player playing the part of String section and church organist for the Carols.  And always, a real treat working with this wonderful band of musicians.

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I felt honoured to be invited to join the BBC Concert Orchestra for an evening of Film Noir music at the Royal Festival Hall on the 8th December. We rehearsed 120 minute concert schedule for 2 days at Abbey Road studios under the direction of conductor, Robert Ziegler. One particular challenge for me was to reproduce (as authentically as I could) the Theremin sound used in the original sound track of the 1945 movie, 'The Lost Weekend’ , featuring the phenomenal music of Miklós Rózsa
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Needless to say, a stunning bunch of musicians and a treat for me to sit in amongst them. The concert was recorded and is due for broadcast in the near future.

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Having just returned from Holland after 8 gigs in 12 days with the Dire Straits Experience, I feel compelled to let everyone know what a great band they are. With Chris White on Sax and Chris Whitten on drums, both original members of Mark Knopfler’s epic band, this is far more than just a ‘tribute' act. Terence Reis, lead singer and guitarist sounds uncannily close to the great man himself whilst showing his considerable stamina in keeping the audience enthralled for 2 and a quarter hours of solid music. Nearly all the shows were sold out. The audiences were enthusiastic and, as far as age ranges go, very varied. Amazing to see so many younger people into a band that has been around for many years. A special shout out for the amazing crew too. A great experience and one i sincerely hope will happen again.

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I shall be touring with the 'Dire Straits Experience' out in Holland and Belgium for 2 weeks from November. This is for me a new band I’m working with and I’ve certainly come to have a true appreciation of the music since rehearsing for three solid days. The band is run by Chris White, one of the original sax players for Dire Straits whilst Terence Reis provides vocals and lead guitar that are uncannily reminiscent of Mark Knopfler. The whole show lasts well over two hours and is a marathon of concentration and musicianship. I’m really looking forward to joining these guys.

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Couldn't have picked a better, sunnier day for this gig - the Sunshine Festival on August 27th. And a delight to work with Mr Paul Young and his band featuring Jamie Moses on guitar. The festival, of which Paul was headlining, took place close to Cheltenham. A brilliant audience and a great team working behind the scenes.