Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb

Had a good laugh at the Rhubarb live session recently in Birmingham. I'd actually met Martin, the DJ, before, when I was doing my first show up at the Edinburgh Fringe four years ago. He was doing a show there at the time, too, and we met on the Royal Mile, both attempting to flyer punters - except that he was dressed up in a rather dodgy Elvis suit. Gotta love those gimmicks!

So it was a very relaxed session. The studio is set in the rather cool Custard Factory complex, which has some really nifty little boutiques and also a theatre. Across the way from the studio, in a glass-fronted room, there was even an ever-so swish white grand piano that I was very tempted to play. Instead - for logistical reasons - I had to content myself with the old keyboard. Still, we had a good chat and I played a few songs from the album. Hopefully I'll get back to Brum for some live gigs soon.

Meanwhile, this weekend, I'm going back to my jazz roots to play at the Upton festival in Gloucestershire. Here's hoping the sun continues ...

Return to form

Recently I heard of this movement called Slow Blogging. Not unlike the Slow Food movement, the clue is in the name. Here's some lines from one slow blogger's manifesto (in fact, I think he's the man who came up with it):

"Slow Blogging is a rejection of immediacy. It is an affirmation that not all things worth reading are written quickly, and that many thoughts are best served after being fully baked and worded in an even temperament."

I heartily agree, although one has to accept that readership may dwindle, or fail to build, when you blog at the snail's pace that, for example, I do. But then I've never been one to submit easily to being rushed.

The reason for my recent blogging hiatus, however, is that I've been away on a much-needed break. And since I've been back - just over a week - it's been all go.

There were two slots at the Haywards' Heath Jazz and Soul on the Broadway gig, in the scorching sunshine on a Sunday. One was guesting with Rythme Futur, the other playing with my own band. Then there were returns to the National Theatre and the National Portrait Gallery last week. It was good to wheel out one or two new songs - I was even been asked when one of them is being recorded! - and it's always nice to connect with the many people passing through those places, usually from all over the world.

I've also had another review for my album from Keyboard Mag in the States. Hooray! Check it out here.

There's some other gigs in the pipeline, including a radio slot at Rhubarb Radio in Birmingham. I'm going to be playing live and there'll be a bit of chat, too. So tune in from 10pm on Tues 16 June.