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The Overwhelming and Astonishing

. Cont'd.

What happened to America's music? Europe's got it!

"... albums by the likes of ... Mike Westbrook have all incorporated elements of European cultural, folk and popular traditions within jazz expression and in so doing moved jazz forward. " The Times

 

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.

The article continues on the following pages.