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!

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.

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)

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!

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...............? 

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) 

 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!

 "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! 

 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.........................

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! 

Carried the drums the furthest of all the schools - the Music Room was on the top floor at the opposite end of the school - but thanks to the ladies in the office who acted as roadies.

And it's just "Hale Watter" outside - pouring down. I need some sunshine 

And I had help - Visiting  Music Teacher John Park just happens to be a cool drummer and we let fly this afternoon in a duet that let the children hear music made up on the spot by 2 players listening and responding to each other.

 Earlier, Mss Robertson discovered she has drum fever in her blood as she had a go in front of the class and with any luck will be leading them in drum lessons before long. 

 I'm staying in St Colms and the beaches here are amazing - they go on for miles with clean shiny sand. If the wind would only drop!

And glad to see that my domain name has taken effect - now www.richardmichaelmusic.co.uk instead of whatever went before.

I nearly brought it off until, in my closing remarks I played the phrase that Hampton uses in his last chorus and.........the fingers jammed and the mess goes out on Wed 18t June. The "live" part was of Cannonball's solo on "I'm on my way" and this went off without mishap. Catch on BBC iplayer if you missed it.

 And I've been working with sound engineer supreme Don Mitchell in putting titles to our Jazz ebsite featuring 3 pieces I've written for former FYJO players. New experience to be adding text to videos but this project is going to be something! 

From the "Buttery Blues" in Port Errol, I had the "Smachery Song" in Lochpots.

'Smachery" is a NEast word for all things sweet that are bad for you and I was temptedto  come off my healthy eating ways by the good ladies of the staff as Fridays are designated "Fancy Piece" days - how virtuous to sit there with an apple!

Once again the kids were so interesting to work with as they were yesterday where I found the most promising drummer called Alex. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Alex saw no reason why he couldn't play the drums like his pals. So...... we shoved the drum stool out of the way, someone held down the hi-hat and Alex let rip like wow!

And....I asked him who was his teacher? And it transpires no-one. This young lad in P7 has the most beatiful fast hands I've seen for playing drums and I really hope the school can find him a teacher because he made my day! 

In between w'shops birthday boy Jamie (1 year old) blew in for a sand party on Sunday afternoon before I left for the sunny North and what an afternoon that was. Great to have the family together in the sun!

Love from Papa. 

What more could a musician desire - after some terrific classes I waded into a buttery and was so inspired that every group afterwards joined in a rendition of today's song ' The Buttery Blues"

And yesterday in Portsoy I was knocked out by the enthusiasm of the pupils as I was in Bracoden on Tuesday, where the 7 pupils who attend New Aberdour Primary took part in the workshops. 

And Fraserbrough tomorrow.................. 

So when asked if I do a lot of gigs..............well, I set off a lot! 

Still recovering from Wed night's Parliamentary Awards success in receiving the award for Jazz Education. Have spent so much time getting info out to friends and press - I think I've contacted all the local papers in Fife and Aberdeen and will see if the Scotsman and Herald run the story.

Have listened to my radio link up with the "Jazzhouse" which also featured co-winner in the best CD section, Ryan Quigley and relieved that I could sound reasonably sensible.

Much touched by emails from Beath High, my old school where I perfected the art of writing music on the back of Board of Studies minutes.

Now getting ready to hit the road tomorrow for a week up in Fraserburgh bringing jazz to the Doric community which I love so much.