Welcome back to my blog - somehow, with Christmas and New Year I got out of the habit of keeping my blog up to date - so here's the latest news!

I spent most of last month filming "Jazz Essentials", the Richard Michael guide to playing Jazz Piano - and the editing with my business partner Don Mitchell is driving us both bonkers - but we both know it will be worth it when the first 10 lessons are up on the Net before too long.

I had a fantastic gig with Richard Ingham in Inverurie at my favourite gig - the Garioch Jazz Club, where we had them shouting for more after 3 driving sets with my old pals Bill Kemp (playing better than ever) and Peter lowit on bass. THat was just 2 weeks ago, and I'm now preparing for the Fife Jazz Weekend when we work with the Arctic Youth JO and the Norbotten Big Band this weekend. Oh ans the special guest is none other than Peter Erskine!

I was delighted to play the wonderful pipe organ in Auchertool Church to the good pupil;s of Primary 7 on Tuesday and it was a lovely experience as most of them had not heard a pipe organ before and this organ is one of my favourites.

I nearly forgot - I interviewed Pat Metheny for the Jazzhouse a few weeks ago and was so impressed by his humility and non big star manner. In his advice for FYJO was 'be the worst player in the band and learn from the others - and practise 10 hours a day!"

And as I open the show tomorrow night for Carol Kydd in the dam Smith Centre - that's what I'm going to do!

And finally - Morag showed me the Fife Free Press in which Jimmy Shand is voted the most famous arts and culture person, Joe Temperely is no 7 and guess who comes in at no 20 out of a 100!

Just returned from Ballater yeaterday - lovely day in the Highlands with classes really interested in music with switched on staff.

And last night I went to see the play Jack Webster has written about Lewis Grassic Gibbon's "Sunset Song" - loved it as it brought back many memories of my days as a pupil in Mackie Academy which is where the great man went to school.

Feels like I've been travelling, travelling...............

After 2 weeks in London working at the Wigmore Hall with singer Tina May, drummer Brian Abrahams and a trio of bass players - Paul Michael, Gareth Hew-Davie and Andy Hammil, I was in Dumfires and Lockerbie last week, Sheffield at the weekend and have just had two glorious days in Aberdeenshire.

The 2 schools at Premnay and Kenethmont were so friendly and welcoming - how often does a musician get a half dozen butterys before getting into the car - and Rhynie butterys at that (just had one - fantastic!)

And then on to Clerkhill school in Peterhead to be greeted by Deputy Head George Cowie with another 1/2 butterys and help carrying in the gear!

Pupils in all 3 schools really got stuck in to the music and their enthusiasm blew me away - I'm at home now before setting off on my travels again and look forward to FYJO tonight (and butterys tomorrow)

Just back from 2 days up in Fraserburgh where I worked with some wonderful young folk in South Park, Rosehearty and St Andrews Primary schools.

I had a fab band in South Park - Fiona Bruce Violin, Daniel Webster tuba, Daniel Ross electric guitar, Katie Armstrong violin and Aaren Elliot double bass. They learned a tune by ear and performed it throughout the morning to all their pals.

And great support from all the swinging teachers who joined in the fun!

Now off to London tomorrow - gigs in Tower Hamlets and the Wigmore Hall, come back next week - fly down for a day, back up and then down again - sound like the Grand Old Duke of York!

Last night I met Gary Burton with Tommy Smith on the Jazzhouse - OK I didn't actually broadcast with him but............I helped him into the studio with his vibes and then helped set them up. And I did play a couple of numbers with him and Tommy before the show sterted - check out the Jazzhouse on BBC Iplayer for the broadcast, He was simply stunning, producing a range of sounds with fantastic control over dynamics and what quick hands!

Things are getting busy now - after all the Birthday celebrations I'm now back in work mode - had two great days INSET last week down in W Sussex and then S'Hampton  and FYJO starts tonight.

Now what's the chords for a 12 bar again...............? 

Check this out - last Saturday (15th) we had all the family over as I knew we were having a birthday party with all our children present.

So............... somehow, Robin and Claire, Joanna Chris and grandchildren Cameron and Jaimie, Hilary and boyfriend Tom ALL GOT CHANGED INTO PARTY GEAR, LEFT THE HOUSE AND I NEVER NOTICED!

 I was under orders to get changed into kilt and was waiting downstairs with Morag who kept getting texts and calls. When she said "Time to go" we went to the car and I was issued with a blindfold - although the destination was only 1/2 mile away Morag drove all round the town and when she parked I was totally confused.

 I could hear traffic and was led across as street through creaking doors and into darkness. I wondered if I was atop a cliff but...............SURPRISE! When the shouts came I was in our own Church Hall with 86 family and friends present. Surprised - folk have never seen me so speechless and I just couldn't take it all in.

 Eventually, Morag made a welcoming speech and I could see the preparation had been considerable. It was a total surprise and I was deeply touched and honoured.

 The 3 piece Ceilidh band (James Woods trio) were superb and we danced and jumped about and hooted for most of the night. Champagne flowed as did the food and food - friends and family kept arriving - Hilary had added captions to my 60 years of photos and I was truly humbled by it all.

 When we did get home - more party time until we fell into bed after 3 am having been excused early service by out thoughtful Minister Rosie - a party guest.

 And the next day, my dear friend Ray joined me at the organ and I sobered up charging through the Widor toccata with him on the feet and me on the hands.

 Open house followed until late and this was one of the best family get togethers ever. Thank you Mo, and our family - old Dad was jist dumnfoonert!

(And very proud) 

Wow - what a weekend! I knew plans were afoot to celebrate my turning 60 last Friday but..following my good wife's instructions  "don't ask questions just follow instructions!" I have had the most amazing time with my family and I really need now to sit down in a quiet corner remembering the fun over the past few days.

 Family matters are too personal for a blog - but there can't be many prouder Dad's than this one, thankful for the love of his family.

I'm not used to being so profound here  - so I'll stop and resume normal service soon!

And I forgot - high drama for me on Friday waiting to see if my first solo album would arrive in time - and it did!

 "The Deil's Awa Wi The Jazzman" containing my improvisations on mainly  Burns tunes arrived with an hour to spare before the gig, allowing me to make my first sales.

 And thanks to my daughter Joanna for coming up with the title! 

Back to the blog - after a week in Skye and a week in Paris (with the ultimate early birthday present from son Robin and Claire - tickets to see them play in Carmen at the Opera Comique) it was back to groove of the 27th Fife Jazz Course which started last Monday, finishing with a concert on Friday afternoon.

 I have to say that this was one of the best - all the 55 students got stuck into the tune of the week - Art Pepper's solo on Groovin High and sang his solo to the packed audience as well as Cannonball's solo on "I'm On My Way" and Clark Terry's solo on "Brotherhood of Man".

 Also - I managed to give the FYJO jazz website a trial with the DVD presentations of music I wrote for 3 horns and rhythm - hope to have this on the Net before too long.

 Thanks to a wonderful team of Tutors (Jeremy, Eliot, Dave, Hilary, Gordon, Brian, Mario, Carlo, Euan and house staff Kenny and Kate) but a special word about the FYJO players on the Course - their commitment and support was fantastic all week and I am really proud of the way they conducted themselves.

However.....after holidays and the Jazz Course, the grass is 10 feet high and I guess I'm going to get my hands mucky.........................

It was good to be back with FYJO gain after some weeks away - can't believe it's 33 years since it all started but the buzz is still there and I'm grateful for all the support from the players and parents and Carlo and Euan musicians extraordinaire.

And a long day on Thursday - stated in Rathen swinging with the kids and their teachers who sang with me - then Sandhave before the long drive down to Cowdenbeath.

Spent yesterday doing paperwork for new CD - honestly, the playing was so much easier than the MCPS forms!

And now a break in Skye so goodbye blog  until later!