Happy New Year to one all. I brought it in playing a glorious gig with Paolo Nutini and the gang, in Edinburgh. Growing up, this gig was always on the telly and I used to love watching it so to get to play this iconic location at this time was very special. We did two nights – 30th and 31st of December and as you can see, the fireworks were a bit of a let down….

Just completed a three date run with Pete Tong, playing percussion in the gargantuan Heritage Orchestra. We have an album OUT NOW too which was recorded in August. All very exciting and really chuffed with it.

Arena shows in Birmingham, London and Manchester sold out and we performed lots of classic Ibiza tunes with Pete along with singers Ella Eyre, John Newman, Jessie Ware, Brendan Reilly, Vula Malinga and Candi Staton! The tour was a blast and we hope to do it again soon. Yes, there was lots of lasers!!

Got asked in to do a stripped-back session with Wilkinson. Heres the results :

Great gig with Goldie and the Heritage Orchestra at Wilderness Festival. Usual huge beats, lots of laughs and intense energy everywhere. Looking forward to the new album dropping next Feb, which features myself and fellow drummer Adam Betts.

Just got back from a cracking trip to the far East taking in China, Taiwan and Singapore depping for me ‘ol mate Jay Sikora with Birdy. Great music, great people and great food – whats not to enjoy! Some fantastic fan has made this kind of youtube compilation of the gig (where you can sometimes see me!!). Anyway, it shows what we got up to musically…

Great to share the stage again with Paolo and the lads the other week, great fun was had and for a great cause. As you can see, some great visuals from a couple of dudes with massive projectors and some oil! Class…

Over the past week I have been working for someone I’ve always admired, Colin Towns, in somewhere I’ve always wanted to play, Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House. I remember seeing his orchestra at Sadlers Wells playing Ellington aswell as his own music along with a full scale ballet about 12 years ago and being blown away. The whole spectacle of the theatre production, dancing and an orchestra, featuring a “who’s who” of British legends, including my old teacher Paul Clarvis, meant I was in heaven.

So, I was thrilled to have been asked to be involved with one of Colin’s latest projects : a re-working of Vivaldi’s four seasons for jazz quartet and orchestra, the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Who are top notch! Myself, Dudley Phillips, Steve Lodder and ol’ chum Simon Allen completed the quartet. It was a joy, and hopefully we can do this again in coming years.

Its been a while since I posted anything here, apologies about that. Things have been busy at my studio with library projects for Warner Chappell aswell as recording drums for Jodie Abacus, Corinne Bailey Rae and Cloves amongst many others. I will keep you updated as to when these tracks make it out into the world.

Also, exciting news is that there will be a new Goldie album dropping next February that my drumming will be featured on. Chuffed tae bits wi that!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE. I was very happy to be part of the UK Hogmannay tradition that is Jools Holland’s Hootenanny TV special. It didn’t disappoint – great fun was had playing with the superb Rhiannon Giddens. Check it out…..

What a month we’re in for the Ghostpoet crew! Extremely honoured that the album we made, Shedding Skin, was nominated for this years Mercury prize.

We have just completed a short UK tour in support of the album which included a great gig at Shepherds Bush Empire.

Next up is a string of arena support slots with Alt-J and The Horrors. Possibly see you there…