I’ve just started learning this piece — Chopin’s Op. 64, No. 2 Waltz. One of my students, Elaine, wants to learn it for the RIAM Senior Certificate.

We got back home last night after spending Christmas visiting and enjoying the wonderful hospitality of our two families. Today my mum, my step-dad, Jenny, and I walked along the East Pier here in Howth. I’m playing tonight in The Millstone restaurant for New Year’s Eve, so I’m chilling out now. Listening to a CD that I found in a record shop near Botanic station in Belfast when I used to commute to work there from home in Portadown. I didn’t realise before but the vibes on it are played by Joe Locke, whose praises I was singing in my last post.

‘Breath of Heaven’ by Grover Washington Jr.