Friday, June 30th, 2006 was a historic, exciting and also a sad day in the history of the Hotel Mamounia. That was the day that the hotel finally closed for their scheduled one year closing for major renovations. It was supposed to have happened over one year prior to this year but the final decision kept getting delayed for various reasons, but the historic day finally arrived.

There were many, many good-byes to all of the guests, employees and friends that I have met during my 8 years of performing in the piano bar. On Friday, June 30th the day before the official closing there was a huge staff party and lunch for all of the employees of the hotel which I also attended as I was not scheduled to fly home until Saturday morning July 1st.

As I flew home to Toronto I remembered many fond memories of Marrakech, the Mamounia and of Morocco. I have been invited back to perform again when the hotel reopens in 2007 and I accepted the invitation at once.

Now we all wait to see how the Hotel Mamounia will be transformed into yet another famous structure yet again as it has been transformed previously in past closings the last one being in 1986. I also wait with anticipation the see how the new grand old lady of Marrakech will proceed into a new beginning.

Best wishes to us all!!

After the long flight from Marrakech back to Toronto it was a nice feeling to be back home if only for a short few days. Saturday July 15th we were scheduled to fly to Italy with the trio for several private engagements. So on that departure date drummer Archie Alleyne, bassist Ron Johnston and I boarded a flight to Rome, Italy. It was a quick trip for two engagements and then a flight right back to Toronto.

Although we did not have too much of a chance for any sightseeing while we were in Rome as we were on a very tight schedule we did manage to get to several very nice Italian restaurants during our free time. And since it was a long flight we had some good conversations when we were not trying to catch some sleep.

The two engagements went very well, the flights were long, we were all very happy to be back in Toronto once again for some serious vacation time that was long overdue.

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After being on vacation all of July, August and September it was time to get back to work. And this upcoming trip was to be most exciting for me. Since the Hotel Mamounia was closed for extensive renovations and not due to reopen for about a year it opened some new venues for me to consider performing at. And one of the more interesting invitations came from the Inter-Continental Hotel in Muscat, Oman.

Several years ago my Zurich, Switzerland friend pianist/singer Herb Marshall was working a major hotel in Muscat for 4 years and always enjoyed it, and suggested to me then that if I ever had the chance to perform in Muscat to accept it as he was sure that I would enjoy it also.

So, packing the bags and heading to the airport once again I flew on an evening flight to London with a change of planes onward to Muscat to start a 5 month engagement at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Muscat, Oman.

Herb was right, I have enjoyed performing in Muscat, the weather is beautiful at this time of the year, and the reception of the performances has been wonderful. In the photos are some of the many staff members of the Inter-Continental and guests that I have met. Everyone has a smile.

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Following my return from Muscat, Oman most of the month of April was spent in rehearsal with our recording group to prepare for an important engagement in Brazil during the month of May. It was to be our first trip to Brazil so the excitement level was a little higher than the usual road trip. The logistics for moving five musicians is enormous as every detail had to be anticipated. Flight tickets, hotel reservations, ground transportation and technical equipment had to be ordered weeks in advance.

So on Thursday night, May 3rd, Dave Field, Michael Stuart, Muhtadi, Archie Alleyne and myself headed to Toronto International Airport for a 10 hour flight first to Sao Paulo, Brazil, with a connecting flight on to Belo Horizonte, Brazil. It being a night flight it kept Muhtadi's jokes to a minimum as most of us just wanted to sleep.

Arriving to Sao Paulo at 10AM the next morning for a 6 hour layover and then another 1 hour flight to Belo Horizonte, we finally arrived to our hotel at about 6PM Friday night.

Saturday, May 5th, was going to be a busy day for all of us. First, we all went for a fabulous lunch which lasted more than 2 hours, back to the hotel for a brief rest, and then to the venue for the setup and sound check. We relaxed a little following the sound check and then it was time to go to work.

We had been invited to perform for the wedding of Ronaro and Luciana Correa of Belo Horizonte. And what an event it was, there were more than 1,000 guests, and a good time was had by all. It lasted well into the early hours of the morning.

Following our performance, it was back to the hotel for a well deserved nights sleep. But not for too long as we had to leave the hotel the next day at noon for our return flights back to Sao Paulo and home to Toronto.

We arrived back to Toronto Monday morning, May 7th, exhausted as it was a lot of travel, not a lot of sleep, and a performance, but we all had a great time.

These are the photos that were taken of the trip.

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Following the long trips to Muscat, Oman and Bela Horizonte, Brazil, it was time for a serious break as summer was approaching. So, for the summer months, I stayed around home to visit with family and friends.

But starting in November, it was time to get back to work and the first stop on what is to be an extended trip is The Kurhaus Hotel in The Hague, Holland, for a one month engagement. This will be the third time that I have played this venue, the last time being in 2002. I was happy to see so many old friends and hotel staff still around when I arrived back in The Hague.

The Kurhaus is the most famous hotel in Holland and also one of the oldest, being over 125 years old. Situated right on the North Sea, the home of The North Sea Jazz Festival, it is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. It is without a doubt, one of the grand hotels in all of Europe.

What made the engagement more special was that my good friend, pianist/singer Herb Marshall, was scheduled to follow me at the Kurhaus, performing for the month of December. He arrived the afternoon of November 30th, from Zurich, so we had a few hours to chat and catch up with each other's travels and adventures.

I enjoyed the month immensely.

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My next engagement was to be an exciting venue because I was scheduled to open a brand new hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was exciting for me because it was my first trip to Dubai, although I was very close when I performed last year in Muscat, Oman, at the Inter-Continental Hotel. Also, I was opening a brand new hotel, The Monarch.

The Monarch is destined to become another landmark hotel in a city filled with many fine hotels and breathtaking architecture. It's absolutely beautiful as you drive up to the entrance and walk into the lobby area. You are greeted by many wonderful people and smiles that make you feel as though you coming home. And home will be synonymous with The Monarch.

The piano lounge, The One On One, is a gorgeous venue in which to perform as well as to just listen and relax and enjoy the artist's that will be performing there. Jane, the lounge manager, makes everyone feel so welcome. I hope to return as my schedule permits.

I made many new friends at The Monarch who are dedicated to being the best at what they do and enjoy doing it. The slide show photos will confirm this I'm sure. Take a look.

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After taking a short break during February on the 28th, it was time to get back on a plane and fly right back to Europe. I headed for the Grand Hotel Alfa in Luxembourg, for a two month engagement.

Surrounded by France, Belgium and Germany on it’s borders, Luxembourg is one of the more popular tourist destinations for these countries as well as other countries in Europe, the United States and Canada. The Alfa being a very pleasant and busy hotel nestled in the heart Luxembourg and was constantly buzzing with people speaking many different languages.

I also had several old friends come to visit with me from Switzerland and Belgium during my engagement at the Alfa. I also made many new friends while there.

Following my engagement at the Grand Hotel Alfa, I went over to Zurich, Switzerland for several days to visit with my good friends Wilbert and Diana Landgraf, pianist/singer Herb Marshall and his wife Ursi, and pianist/singer Alywin Dias. And, on Sunday evening May 4th, my friend Irene Tihanyi joined Wilbert, Diana and me for a fabulous dinner in Zurich. Irene is a flight attendant on an international airline and we flew back to Toronto together the following day.

Enjoy the photos of our happy faces.