'I'm not running' - live from the National Theatre to Letchworth

There is so much joy in sitting in a comfortable cinema with good friends all around me, just a few minutes' drive from home, while watching outstanding theatre.
    The National Theatre's policy of streaming some productions out to cinemas is inspired. It gives us all the chance to support local venues AND outstanding national arts bodies. It's not cheap, but it's not expensive, either.
    So I come to be sitting in Letchworth's Broadway Cinema (sadly Hitchin's various cinemas were all closed down at various times in the last century), watching David Hare's latest play I'm Not Running.
    The production itself was masterly, with actors, direction and stage design that kept the pace going and although most of us could guess what the final scene would be, there were twists and turns along the way. Flashbacks and changes in setting helped to add intrigue along the way.
    Political theatre has always been a fascination of mine and David Hare presents a battle for the leadership of the Labour party at an interesting time in British politics. In the interval discussion screened with him, he explained that he's written a play about the Tories. That'll be worth seeing.
    There are more productions to come from the National which will take me back to the Broadway. And several from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Not a bad way to catch some culture - a few miles from my front door.

Creating a natural perfume - from scratch

There is something deeply rewarding about working with natural products and my day at Neal's' Yard Remedies - on an Introduction to Natural Perfumery workshop - was intense and delightful.
    The day began in almost a classroom setting, with four empty blue bottles and a folder of notes sitting in front of each of the 20 of us taking part.
    But aromatherapist and perfumer Debbie Mulkern took us every step of the way through the theory and history of perfumery while smelling individual scents.
    By lunchtime, we had smelled more than 20 different olfactive notes and were beginning to understand aromacology - the art and science to using fragrance to affect both mood and senses.
    By the time we returned from variously wandering around Covent Garden, we were all ready to begin the formulation process.

    My fragrance began with top notes of Grapefruit, Bergamot and Neroli, with middle notes of Litsea, Cypress and Geranium. Once these were balanced, with a couple of extra drops here and there, I created base notes of Frankincense, Vetiver and Patchouli. Throughout the creation process, I found myself taking lots of notes about the various qualities I was aiming for - and the maths was tricky at times.

    Eventually, the three parts of the perfume were combined with organic grain alcohol and deionised water and the final product was complete. I called it Rally - the verb, not the noun. It represents the process of recovery I've been through since my various illnesses and operations.

    The finished result is a personal fragrance and I'm proud of it. I'll wear it with pride - for how it smells and for what it represents.

80 years of Blue Note

Big news is in from the legendary label Blue Note, as it celebrates 80 years of producing some of the finest jazz in the world - there'll be several new vinyl series, a documentary film and special global live events.  

    I don't remember when I first heard of Blue Note, or listened to my first of its hundreds of albums, but it's always been part of my musical psyche.

    It's 80 years this month since Alfred Lion produced his first recording session in New York City with two Boogie Woogie pianists.
    The rest, as they say, is history.
    Blue Note went on to record Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Jimmy Smith, Dexter Gordon, Grant Green, Lou Donaldson, Donald Byrd, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Charles Lloyd, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor and many, many more.
   Today, it's got Robert Glasper and Joel Ross and is one of the flagship labels of the Capitol Music Group and Universal Music Group.

    I can't wait to see some of the celebration releases promised in this special year.

Giving something back.

When I was young, I often played at Benslow Music School in Hitchin. It was the venue for many of my classical outings, rather than the big band gigs in pubs that became more of a feature as I got older.

    In 2018, I heard that Benslow Music Trust was in need of volunteer stewards for some of its concerts, and it seemed the ideal opportunity for me to give something back to young and developing musicians in Hitchin (and from further afield).

    Last night was my first shift and it was fun. It was good to be back in the building, especially following the renovations it's had in recent years.

    I'm looking forward to getting involved more in the coming weeks and months.

How will you make a difference in 2019?

Inspiration can come in many ways and from unexpected sources. What you have to do is look out for it. Having an open mind is key.
    My inspiration this week has come from my elderly father.

    He's turning 87 in May and this year marks the 70th anniversary of Harpenden Gang Show. He appeared in the first show in 1949 and several others in the 1950s
    The current Musical Director - Ewan Murray - has included a tribute to yesterday's scouts and dad will be on stage for just a few minutes in the finale.
    Dad's shirt was made in 1951 or 2 (I'm not surprised he can't remember!) in Singapore and he's proud that he can still wear it. At the time, he was doing his National Service - a different world and a different time.
    Just talking to him this week has allowed him to remember those times before he married my mum. He's told me stories he probably wouldn't have remembered otherwise.
     A real inspiration.

Showbiz panel discussions

As part of Roberto Perrone's first showbiz panel of 2019 on BBC Three Counties Radio, I got involved in discussions about music, books, TV shows and music (again).

    It was a fun way to spend an hour on Friday and Roberto hosted brilliantly, making sure everyone had a chance to contribute. My fellow panellists were author Tony Drury and music maestro David Mann. It was honour to sit alongside them and to find out more about what they do.

    I'm looking forward to getting involved in these panel discussions in the future - the next one is already booked for 8 February.

Pride comes in surprising places

My father is approaching 87. Before he gets there, he is appearing on stage at Harpenden Public Halls as part of the 70th anniversary of Harpenden Gang Show.

    Seven people are singing - that’s my dad on the far right - each one representing a decade since the first performance in 1949.

    At their first rehearsal together, I was moved to tears of pride. Dad is part of something which has brought pleasure to thousands of people.
    Pride can sneak up on you when least expected.