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Category: Musician

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According to the Royal Academy of Music’s website and its announcement yesterday, I can now divulge that I am being awarded an ARAM some 30 years after leaving as a student. The Associate of the Royal Academy of Music is awarded in recognition of one’s achievements in and contribution to music.  Needless to say it’s a great honour to be recognised and I will be happy to add the letters ARAM to the 'BMus(Hons), LRAM' I already have after my name.

There will be a presentation ceremony in the very grandiose Duke’s Hall at the Academy in mid May. This is the home of the famous Sir Henry Wood bronze bust that takes pride and place on the stage of the Albert Hall during the Summer Proms concerts - I’m very much looking forward to seeing my old college and maybe even catching up with old colleagues.

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And we’re off again - The Dire Straits Experience are set for a very busy February starting off in Slovenia this Friday the 8th. Back home for a few days and then off for two and a half weeks on the road touring Austria, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. We have a new drummer for this leg, Gary O’Toole (formally Steve Hackett’s drummer for nearly 20 years) and I’ll be shifting over to the other side of the stage to cover the bulk of the piano stuff so it’s all change for me too ! Lots of notes to learn and I'm sure there will be a few adventures on the way. 

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"And now for something completely different"... to quote a rather famous TV show.  On Saturday 26th January I’ll be playing at the Royal Festival Hall in a premier concert of 90s Dance Music reworked in an orchestral style by Tom Player and conducted by Lee Reynolds.  The London Concert orchestra will feature 50 musicians, including electronic drums, rhythm section and three synth players. There will be video clips and guest artists. This is just the first of six UK concerts. In June the whole show will be travelling to Cardiff, Nottingham, Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool.  

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As followers of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing show will know, Brendan Cole is sadly no longer appearing every Saturday night on their TV screens. But that hasn’t deterred his love of the theatre. From the 27th October, his ‘All Night Long’ show will be appearing for an extended period until 21st November all over the UK.  A last chance for fans to see this incredible show of live dancers and musicians. John will be playing keyboards in the 13 piece band (including 2 singers). Book now to avoid dissappointment !

For more details check the following link - 

https://www.brendancolelive.com/copy-of-all-night-long

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Im going to be travelling around the country this week, compliments of Yamaha, doing a mini concert tour featuring the amazing Genos keyboard. I’m no stranger to music technology but this keyboard really is something quite special. To the un-trained eye, it might seem like another home-style all-singing / all-dancing instrument but actually there’s far more to it than meets the eye. The sound quality has to be heard to be believed. So I'm looking forward to playing the Genos in front of selected audiences throughout the UK this week. Just 90 minutes of music - no pressure ! For more information go to - https://uk.yamaha.com/en/news_events/2018/evening-with-john-maul.html

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I’m delighted to be working with one of my favourite guitarists this weekend, Jamie Moses. Having worked with Queen alongside Brian May, Jamie is more than qualified to lead his band at the 33rd Annual Convention of the official Queen Fan Club up in Mablethorpe. Having performed last year at the same event, I know the fans will be eager to hear Jamie perform.   

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After three intense days rehearsal at Soundstage studios in Acton, we leave for Australia on 18th September for the Dire Straits Experience ‘down-under’ tour. Eight gigs all over the country including one in New Zealand and all within the space of two weeks. Undoubtedly a bit of a punishing schedule lies ahead but think of the air miles !

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The odds were against us - Friday the 13th and Trump was in town. But that didn’t deter the 80s fans who came to witness yet another Here and Now 80s pop extravaganza  with an all-star listing of pop royalty. Jason Donovan topped the bill with Midge Ure and 5-Star preceding amongst others. Thanks to my house band of hand picked musicians, we ‘Rocked’ !