So - I was very pleased to make it though the semi Finals and into the Final of the first National Jazz Piano Competition in Nottingham on the 27th July. Its great to have a competition like this in the UK now, and I hope it continues to raise its profile in the future. There really are some good pianists out there, and the final saw 4 very different pianists playing, the winner being Dan Whieldon from Manchester; my friend Sam Hogarth and Canadian Chris Donnelly were the other two pianists. I've been promised some gigs and potentially a recording out of it, and hope to be back in the area soon! Many thanks to all the festival organisers and the judges, and maybe I'll be back in 2010....

Quick bit of news - I've been selected as a semi-finalist in the first NNJPC, to take place on the weekend of the 24th July this year; here's the website, check it out and come along and support what should be a great weekend of Jazz Piano!