Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg

It already feels like a dream getting home having played Django Bates' piano concerto for Joanna MacGregor with this fantastic orchestra - Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg - I remember thinking at the end of the concert that there was nowhere I would rather be.

I still owe John Dankworth £1

Opening the Quercus tour on Sunday at The Stables brought back some good memories of my Wavendon Summer Schools in the early 80s. There were some great teachers and some of the students are still friends such as Nikki Iles, Phil & Tom Bancroft, Mark Lockheart and Guy Chambers.

For the following 30 years, whenever we met, John Dankworth teased me about owing him £1. He had leant it to me so I could get the bus home after my pocket money ran out! I tried repay the pound with interest many times over the years but he always refused, so he could bring it up next time we met!

We dedicated a tune to John on Sunday night.

Thanks to the person who stole my wallet on Monday morning and thanks to the person who handed it in on Monday afternoon, minus the pound....

Little Radio is on the road

Enjoying a bit of Old England with Stian. Had some great gigs so far starting with Watermill Jazz at Dorking then up through the snow to Wakefield Jazz and swinging down to Uppingham yesterday to the Goldmark Gallery. All great audiences inspite of the weather.

Tonight its Ronnie Scott's opening for Michel Legrand then flying up to Glasgow for Celtic Connections festival. 

Back again in April at The Sage for Gateshead International Jazz Festival if you missed us this time.  

Chestnuts Roasting...

Last week I popped over to Jason Rebello's place for a play. After walking the dogs and some coffee we recorded a few Chrismas songs.

Here's some MP3 pressies from us, hope you like them. Thanks for following and Happy New Year to you!

Vesuvius

Feeling glad to be in Naples in one piece as I nearly missed the plane yesterday.... icy English motorways.

I'm playing at a big Literary awards ceremony tonight with Maria Pia de Vito and Huw Warren.

Last night we had wonderful Neapolitan cuisine and my hotel looks across the bay to Vesuvius and to the right I can see Pompei. It doesn't get better than this!

New Food release Nov 2012

Food's second album for ECM Records, 'Mercurial Balm', is released today (Nov 5th) in UK - I can hear the firework celebrations all around me, amazing! 

Mastered in January 2012 at the Rainbow Studio, Oslo, with improvisations drawn from live performances in Norway, England and Germany and studio sessions.

The album features the core group of Iain Ballamy and Thomas Stronen with guitarists Christian Fennesz and Eivind Aarset, trumpeter Nils Petter Molvær and the unique singer and slide guitarist from South India, Prakash Sontakke.

Here's a link to ECM's page with more info and a great overview of all musicians. Visit the ECM Player to hear track 1 'Nebular' and for more info on Artists.
(ECM 2269)