18 May 2009
Gershwin Concerto done!
After working for what seemed like years on the Gershwin Piano Concerto, I performed it on Saturday with the excellent Nottingham Symphony Orchestra. Despite playing with an injury (I fell off my bike and hurt my fingers four days before the concert) the performance went down very well with the audience. There's even a small write up here. I have now officially caught the Concerto bug, and cannot wait to perform another one. I will now be contacting various local orchestras to see if they need a soloist. Watch this space...
13 May 2009
More Easy Star Support gigs
Over the past two weeks I have been playing more gigs with Ed Rome and the Connectors (supporting the Easy Star All Stars). It was particularly good to meet up with the Easy Stars again, who we toured with last year. They are in the middle of a world tour, promoting their new album 'Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Dub band', a reggae interpretation of the famous Beatles album. As ever, the gigs were well attended and we were very well received.
23 April 2009
Gershwin Piano Concerto
I am performing Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F with Nottingham Symphony Orchestra on May 16th. It is my first (and hopefully not last!) attempt at a concerto, so naturally I'm very nervous but also incredibly excited about the opportunity.
23 March 2009
Les Mis - Jersey
After playing for the MMP production of Les Miserables in Guernsey last year, I was invited back to play the same show, this time in neighbouring Jersey. As usual it was a great week which combined a lot of hard work with the opportunity to sight see. Met some great people and players, and the show, while still being hard work, was a lot easier second time round. I'm looking forward to wherever the next one may be!
04 November 2008
Ed Rome and the Connectors tour
I've been on the road just over two weeks now and it feels like I've been away for months! The Ed Rome tour has been exhausting but very enjoyable all the same. Aside from two dates we were supporting the excellent Easy Star All Stars (the guys who play dub versions of Pink Floyd and Radiohead). Really nice guys too, who we will hopefully support again sometime in the future.
The tour started in Kendal, Cumbria and ended in Falmouth, Cornwall. We went as far up as Scotland and even did a Cambridge gig (that was strange, coming home). We battled against exploding bass amps and a van which needed topping up with water every hour but we made it back in once piece! Watch this space for more Ed Rome gigs.
08 September 2008
Les Mis - Guernsey
Just got back from Guernsey after playing Keys 2 for MMP production of Les Miserables in Concert. Featuring a cast from the West End, this was a special one as it is the first time the musical has been performed on the island, where Victor Hugo wrote the novel. Loved the island and met some great people. I will definitely be going back!
20 August 2008
Secret Green gig
This month I played a gig in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire with band Secret Green, featuring Francis Lickerish - guitarist, composer and founder member of The Enid. Fans of The Enid came from afar to see this small gig and it was a great success. Despite being a self-confessed fan of progressive rock I had never really heard much about The Enid. I have to say after listening to a lot of their back catalogue, it's pretty amazing stuff. Francis is now writing an album of his own which, from what I've heard already, sounds great. Will hopefully be doing more with Secret Green next year.
14 August 2008
Endorse it In Dorset
This month kicked off with a weekend at the Endorse it In Dorset festival where I performed with Ed Rome and The Connectors (who I will be touring with in October). A very muddy but enjoyable weekend.
03 July 2008
Jamie Oliver gig
I've just got back from a very last minute gig for Jamie Oliver at his garden party for family and friends. Played some piano, met some great people and ate lots of really nice cakes.
