Hello!

Things are rolling along nicely so I thought I'd post a little update.

Firstly, I've recently recorded with Chris While and Julie Matthews for their upcoming new album. For those who don't know, Chris and Julie are fantastic singer-songwriters, well respected on the UK folk scene and abroad and have been nominated for the BBc Radio 2 Folk Awards a record 10 times. The new album is a bold step forward for the duo - not least because, one brushed snare drum aside , there's no drum kit on it! I played my little cajon-based percussion kit, as well as a few other bits and pieces from my toy box (and theirs!) I was the first musician to join Chris and Julie and they've got some very exciting secrets up their sleeve for the rest of the album. check out http://www.whileandmatthews.co.uk/News.htm

In other news, I'm delighted that my Found Objects project is being supported by Birmingham Jazz and we're all set for some intensive rehearsal in the summer. I've had a bit of a jazz sabbatical of late and it's fantastic to have the support to develop a project that I'm desperate to sink my teeth into! The lineup is going to include Neil Yates on trumpet/whistles/electronics, Mike Fletcher on sax and flutey things, Frank moon on Oud, "Django" and other guitars and Percy Purseglove on bass. With that lineup of multi-instru-mentalists I think you can expect some great percussion ensemble stuff too!

The Old Dance School album is very near to completion and we're all absolutely delighted with the expert production of Joe Broughton and the new material which has really evolved over the last few months. We're opening The English Originals Festival in Birmingham next week with a free performance - Rush Hour Blues at the Symphony Hall bar on Friday 25th April. We're also opening Moseley (29-31 August) on the main stage on Friday afternoon and Headlining the Lunar stage on Sunday night, in between Scott Matthews and Seth Lakeman. Our wonderful friends KTB, Little Sister, The Destroyers and Jack McNeill and Charlie Heys are all there too, not to mention the incredible all-star lineup. If it's anything like last year, that weekend is going to be a blast and I think it can't fail but be better!!

The Bright Size Gypsies are as busy as ever and there'll be more on that soon.

Kate Doubleday's album is out - looking lovely, sounding quirky and Kate's over the moon to have a distribution deal with Proper. I play a variety of found objects including copper boiler lids.

I'm also working with a very, very exciting folk/world/groove/whatever quartet that I have to say is sounding great - a real virtuosic fun fest - keep your ears peeled!

The Folk Ensemble tour kicks off very soon and it's going to be the biggest, longest one yet! Check my main page for dates - we're playing somewhere near you very soon!

So that's me for now. Best to all, hope to see you sometime soon!