Absolutely no idea where 2025 went, almost feels like it didn’t exist and didn’t get nearly enough time to complete some of the projects I wanted to work on. I’m determined to make sure that 2026 is even more productive although I although suspect I’ve taken on a little more than I should have. But I need to learn to delegate.

Lots and lots happening over at Big Blue Scribble Ltd however the changes have been planned for some time and implementation is already underway and the changes I make will in fact give me more time to dedicate to other projects.

The past month has been busy with writing and recording for Rhovan; with a full launch and tour to take place in 2026. One Day More continues at venues all over the UK although I’ve got far more corporate bookings than before but it’s a lot of fun to do. I’ve been working hard on All About Sondheim; there’s a lot to learn since I’m performing at the piano. As well as completing all the arrangements I need to be spot on with my piano work as well as vocals and of course since it’s Sondheim, that’s not always easy. I’m going to be recording the album soon and I’m just in the process of finding the right venue to record at. The album will be recorded in one entire take, yes, the entire show recorded in one huge take. There’s still part of me that thinks the album might be best served being recorded at a live performance but I’m fairly settled on recording without an audience. A live audience is unpredictable, especially when it comes to noise and there are some wonderfully intimate Sondheim moments that I’d hate to be missed.

Leading up to Christmas I found a few wonderfully intimate venues to do a few performances of The Christmas Chronicles and to be honest I was delighted with the feedback and response of the show. The arrangements and storytelling are certainly unique but again I did the entire show from the piano. It’s now given me second thoughts as to whether the show should stay as an intimate production at the piano or if as I originally considered a much more full blown theatrical production. This’ll take some thought.

I really can’t remember the last time I did a piano recital but I was asked in 2026 to perform at the piano. Rather than a traditional classical repertoire I came up with the idea of something a bit more unique; a piano recital based on piano transcriptions of music from cinema. I’ve created quite a challenging programme however it’ll do me a lot of good to spend more time at the piano. Repertoire for the recitals include Rhapsody In Blue (solo piano transcription), The Warsaw Concerto, Cavatina, Adagio For Strings and Beauty And The Beast just to give you a sample. My concert debut back in my teens was Rhapsody In Blue so much of it is still familiar. The Warsaw Concerto was a favourite of my maternal Grandmother who was the one who encouraged my music studies, I know the piece well although I’ve never played it so yet again it’s another challenge I’m looking forward to. Several other pieces I’m creating my transcriptions which includes Barber’s Adagio For Strings which is rarely heard for solo piano.

So I go into 2026 with a lot of work to do, a lot of plans and a lot of ambition. Let’s see how it goes.