.
Cont'd.
Mike Westbrook O.B.E. has led, and composed for, a succession of Big Bands and small groups since the early 1960's. He has toured extensively throughout Europe and further a field and made 30 albums. In collaboration with his wife, singer/librettist Kate Westbrook, he has generated a whole series of jazz/cabarets and music-theatre pieces.
Kate in concert, sort of!?? Celebrating Mike's Birthday! Actually it wasn't his birthday. But it was a huge party down in Sicily to celebrate the work of Mike Westbrook - and Kenny Mathieson flew down with him. In the first part of our two-part feature Britain's most innovative Big Band leader discusses structure, collaborating with Kate, and the notorious Smith's Hotel chord.
Photo: The two geniuses Mike and Kate side by side.
Some of Mr Mike Westbrook's memorable works and appearances:
1997: "Un aveugle chant pour sa ville", Mike Westbrook - piano, Kate Westbrook - voice, Chris Biscoe - saxophone TV/WDR 3, (German radio + TV channel). In 1994: "Good Friday 1663", TV opera, idea and libretto by Helen Simpson, music by Mike Westbrook, vocals of all characters but one: Kate Westbrook. cast: Belinda - Trilby James. Parson Snakepeace - Simon Grant. Squire Clodpoll - Geoffrey Hughes. Sir Ponty Spatchcock - John Savident. Aunt Champflower - Julie Legrand. Celadon - Jay Simon. Rhodophil - Christopher Staines. Myrtilla - Elizabeth Fitzherbert. Music: Kate Westbrook - voice. Simon Grant - voice. John Alley - piano. Anthony Kerr - marimba/synthesizer. Chris Biscoe - piccolo, saxophones. Barbara Thompson - recorder. Jon Hiseman - percussion. In 1994: (Film) "Moulin Rouge", Score by Mike Westbrook for full length silent feature film directed by E.A. Dupont (1928). In 1980: (Film) "Caught On A train" by Stephen Poliakoff, film-music by Mike Westbrook. CONTINUES NEXT