All over bar the shouting...

Well, that's it. The final recital was performed yesterday and went well. Always the odd bits that you think hmmm but all in all, very pleased. Thanks to Bruno, Andrea, Andy and Sam for being a brilliant band. Just a couple more weeks then I'm off to Devon for the duration.

Next week, by the way, the Guildhall Jazz Singers, of whom I am one, are performing the Kenny Wheeler 'Mirrors' suite. A fantastic collection of music which features poems by Stevie Smith and Lewis Carroll set to music by Kenny Wheeler. Not only that, but the performance on Friday 30th June, starting at 8pm in the Main Hall at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Silk Street, The Barbican, will feature super special guests Kenny Wheeler and Norma Winstone. Now it doesn't get much better than that. All brought together by the fabulous and perfectly formed Pete Churchill. Don't miss it.

Then a quick trip up to Glasgow, a swift week in La Coruna with the Guildhall Jazz Postgrads - La Coruna beware - and finally meltdown in Devon. Fab.

I hope you've noticed the quite excellent comments from Le Couvent. Le Couvent are definitely winning in the best comments on my blog category. Come on anyone, give them a run for their money. And yes I did enjoy it that much. www.roujan.com if you want the same blissful experience.

Second day of final recitals this afternoon and I'm off to wave the flag for the other guys who are doing their recitals today. It's open to the public if anyone is about - from 2pm in Sundial Court, Chiswell Street. See my gig page for directions.

Toodle oo. Don't forget the suntan cream in this hot weather. I'm rapidly turning from sparkling white to dark white with the help of a hefty factor 30. That's a whole different topic.

Rx

Quelle bonne idee...

... it was to go to France for a week. Perfect hosts, beautiful location, an extended birthday celebration which involved large feasts on a regular basis and two (count them) luxury birthday cakes, new friends, three swimming pools, almond croissants, sun, my favourite room. Just everything really. And it was all topped off with a quite gorgeous Sunday lunch at an ultra kitsch fish restaurant in Bouzigues, right next to the sea. I say fish restaurant, that would really be oyster restaurant. Bouzigues is apparently THE place to get your oysters and the restaurant is the tag on to an oyster processing place. I'm not well up on oysters so I can't fill you in on the details but the whole lagoon was a landscape of oyster frames. Quite a strange feature - bit like something from Doctor Who. Anyway, we had a superb meal, the high point for me being a very large coupe de crevettes - that's big prawns/shrimp depending on where you come from. Yummy. On the next table, one lady seemed to be tucking in to a gargantuan plate of mixed shellfish which contained possibly more shellfish than I've eaten in my entire life. And I think that was just her starter. Immense. Anyway, a brilliant week - may I once again say you really ought to check out www.roujan.com

Anyway, back at college, final recital next week. It's definitely the final furlong. The final recital should be good. Come on down if you're in town and have the time. See the gigs section for details. 2.30pm Wednesday 21st in Sundial Music Room, Chiswell Street, between Barbican and Moorgate tubes.

Off to bed. Having an early night.

Rx

Great gig - where were you?

Just got in from a fab gig at The Bull's Head. Huge thanks to Dan, Gavin and Jonas for coming down from Manchester. Outstanding. And thanks to Pontus for great guitar. Ever huger thanks to those of you who came along to listen. Great to see the familiar faces. Bit of a shame there weren't a few more there to hear such a fantastic gig. Come on guys, you know who you are, we need your support. Let's see you out there at the next one. Blimey, I sound a bit like Delia Smith doing her famous Norwich City appeal. For those of a non-sporting persuasion just ignore that last bit.

Well, I'm off to France on Tuesday. Hooray. Can't wait. Cannot wait. R&R, sun, R, sleep, R, swim, R and a bit more R. Can't wait.

Rx