Well! Christmas is almost over after ALL the usual regular hype that precedes it. Usually that means a holiday away from it all for us, but this time Anne-Marie (my wife) is due to give birth to identical twins, so we are mentally and emotionally preparing for that right now. Physically, we are almost ready; the nursery is sorted and I am waiting for the builders to finish the new extension so I can get in and leave domesticity totally behind when i am 'working'.

Looking back on the festive season, I have for once, actually been heavily involved performance-wise with the build-up: 'the Christmas Party!' 'The Christmas Lunch.' With my Jazz trio, we have actually been busy with Christmas, as opposed to just doing events such as Weddings that I have been involved with. If you are reading this and you have seen me in action, I hope you enjoyed what you heard and saw!

The highlight has to be my solo concert appearance at Brockhall Church on Friday December 19th. The place was absolutely packed with people, they even removed the altar to get 20 odd more people in. It was a scream, we laughed, we sang and I knocked out a few tunes on the Steinway Grand, yes I was on a Steinway!! Look out for a return performance with the trio in April 2009, check out their website for details in the new year. Of course there were numerous corporate and private events for the season, and they too were very enjoyable - now I await the arrival of the cheques for payment!

Looking ahead, beyond the twins, if that is at all possible! I shall once again be at full throttle in my resident role at the Orangery at Whittlebury Park, (not Whittlebury Hall, that's the hotel!) many many times doing the Weddings. I have already met some great couples in preparation for next year and I am once again very excited to be part of the preparations of those special celebrations. But the Weddings will be also happening for me further afield too. cannot remember where exactly but I know there a few Wedding trips ahead for me and with the trio.

On the subject of Geography, people always assume that ALL my performing work is in Northampton and that of course is not the case. In the last twelve months, I have played as far up as Berwick-Upon-Tweed in the North East, Merthyr Tydfill in Wales, and down in Portsmouth. Seeing the whole country as it REALLY is, for me, is a great privilege as a jobbing pianist, and as a black Englishman because I am proud to say that I am welcomed warmly everywhere I go.

Some of you will know that as well as following by home-town team the Cobblers (that's Northampton Town to the rest of you), I enjoy my trips to the Riverside to see the 'Boro (Middlesbrough to the uninformed). I cannot think of a better part of the country to go to escape the intense demands of my musical existence. The people are just brilliant and I hope the boys up there start turning those sterling performances into points and make the whole country sit up and notice that great team in Teeside. I feel better for getting that off my chest (And before any of you fans of the fashionable teams start bleating, I have watched EVERYONE in the last 24 months and know that the 'Boro are the team for me). Despite the arrival of twins Mrs Noel assures me that I will still be permitted to see the boys play (and not just from my sofa!)

I have a coupe of days before the New Years Eve machine cranks up! I have got a HUGE Wedding to do in the afternoon then its off to the Boat at Stoke Bruerne for the PARTY with the trio for the 6th year running. Before that I was at the Royalist in market Harborough for 4 years running. Maybe with the new babies, I might just stay home next New Year's Eve, go to bed early and sleep through it...if I can get away with it.

Whatever YOU are doing, have a great time, and if you see me in action, do come and say 'Hi'. Watch out for the Website in the new year...At Last! We may even put some show reel on it too. Stay Very Safe!! God Bless!! Happy New Year!

Lincoln x