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I was delighted to be asked by pianist Jill Morton to compose and arrange five new Christmas tunes for her December Musical Advent calendar. Having been a while since I’d put pencil to manuscript, I cant deny it was challenging getting those creative cogwheels turning again. But I’m pleased with the end results and honoured that Jill recorded all five pieces for her YouTube channel. You can hear them on the following links below - (sheet music is also available from my ScoreExchange.com page)

All Aboard the Reindeer Express - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mb3n6jinGI

The Naughty Elf from Swaffham - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2s7LoPrvj4&t=95s

The Northern Lights - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bufmldkJY7s

A Winter’s Dawn Over Loch Etive - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnecREEs0Jg

In addition to these four newly composed pieces I also did an arrangement of one of my favourite Christmas tunes by David Foster - 

Grown Up Christmas List - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9404MnwqG0

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It was a pleasure to finally have a mini tour of 4 gigs with The Dire Straits Experience in Israel.  A very welcome October journey to the sun staying in the beautiful Sheraton hotel on the Tel Aviv beach. Understandably no one is taking any chances with the Covid situation which meant no less than 5 separate PCR tests over the space of our visit. But we had wonderfully enthusiastic audiences every night and some amazing food. That’s it now for the band until January when we’ll be visiting Finland. But nice to experience a glimpse of normality after some very tough times for all. 

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Thanks to the pandemic , I’ve been encouraged to look for other outlets for my musical pursuits. I’m glad to say that my ‘Piano Life’ You Tube channel has gained a little momentum albeit modest by some standards. But the purpose of the channel has really been a flag-waving exercise and, as and when time permits, I shall continue with content. One notable video is my piano cover of ‘We Bought A Zoo’ which has now reached 2.4K views. If you have a moment, please take a look and listen.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz4fo9hDSdIpIvOBFK2qEnQ/videos

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Welcome back after what feels like a very surreal and enforced sabbatical. I’m pleased to say that glimmers of normality appear to be returning.

A few weeks ago I experienced my first proper gig in over 18 months at a beautiful setting at the Festival in Vilar les Dombes just north of Lyon. The Dire Straits Experience visited France on a tour bus, some 13 of us (musicians and crew). 

Whilst the gig was an absolute pleasure and the French audience was amazing , the journey across the English channel was somewhat challenging. Sadly the combination of Covid travel restrictions and more annoyingly , the Post Brexit restrictions , make this kind of journey very troublesome . But nonetheless  we made it. A relief after having no less than 6 gigs since June cancelled due to the aforementioned troubles We hope to be visiting Israel in October for a four date tour that was postponed in August. Fingers crossed this will go ahead. Watch this space !

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I've been overwhelmed by the positive and enthusiastic response to my music video - an arrangement of ' I Heard It Through The Grapevine'. I was so grateful to the musicians who agreed to participate to support the music charity - 'HelpMusicians.Org.Uk'. We've had nearly 8000 thousand views on Facebook and nearly 200 'shares'.  The video was produced by my neighbour Adrian Kingston and the track mixed by Nick Pugh of Session Corner. I've now uploaded it to my YouTube page - please visit and give it a thumbs up ! Or subscribe to my channel if the mood grabs you ! Many Thanks

 

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With plenty of free time available due to the Corona Virus situation I’m pleased to be getting on with some new ventures at home. A particularly exciting one for me is the creation of my own channel on YouTube called ‘Piano Life’. For ages I’ve wanted to create some educational videos for students and alike, so I've been learning Apple’s video editing software, Final Cut Pro, and have already started uploading some new videos. Please take a look when you have a moment. I’ve tried some different approaches to learning piano and also included some of the ‘Pianist Magazine’ videos I did for Roland a few years ago. I welcome constructive comments and requests if you have any. Many thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz4fo9hDSdIpIvOBFK2qEnQ

 

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On the 9th March I left for the Czech Republic ready to embark on a 16 date tour of also Poland and France with the Dire Straits Experience. By lunchtime on the 10th it had all been cancelled and our flights home had been booked for the 11th. Whilst frustrating at the time, I am now very grateful for that decision in the light of ever worsening events in the news regards this horrible Corona Virus that has put the world on hold. Needless to say I shan’t be working for a good few months at least.  I hope that this situation will change for the better soon but the realist in me knows not to hold my breath. 

Meanwhile I look in awe at those brave souls working for our essential services here and abroad. Our NHS remains one of the most incredible health care systems in the world and I am so grateful for this. Stay safe everyone. 

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What better way to start the New Year than with a bit of Rock ’n Roll with Spike Edney’s Allstar Band. Sadly the great man was unable to attend himself due to his Queen commitments. Instead, Guitar Rock Lord, Jamie Moses lead us on this fabulous gig in Madrid on the 20th Jan. (picture attached).

After this the Dire Straits Experience had a full week’s rehearsal at Soundstage Studios in Acton in readiness for the big three week tour coming up in March in Czech, Poland and France. 

Currently I’m touring on the Branden Cole UK event, The Showman having missed last year’s. Sadly I’m only able to do 12 of the 16 dates due to the imminent DSE tour.

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To be playing Christmas tunes in Dubai. For the 3rd year running, the concert promoter Raymond Gubbay has put on six ‘Jingle Bells’ concerts in the space of three days for an enthusiastic audience. It's immense fun, if not a bit strange seeing Christmas woolly sweaters being worn outside in temperatures of 25 degrees.  

To finish of the Christmas festivities Ill be playing at the Barbican on the 21st December for a double show day with an even bigger orchestra. For details click on the link below:  

https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/jingle-bell-christmas

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What a great way to finish the year with 12 gigs in just over 2 weeks covering Belgium, Holland and France. As per usual, great audiences and great venues. That just about wraps it up for 2019 - a very busy year for the Dire Straits Experience although we are awaiting confirmation of a possible New Years Eve Gig in Bucharest. The photo attached is of myself and Sax player extraordinaire, Chris White, who played with the original Dire Straits back in the 80s. It's taken by an amazing photographer, Jo Sudau, who has followed the band from venue to venue getting some terrific shots.