Michael John David “Mike” Westbrook, born 21 March 1936 in High Wycombe, is an English jazz composer and pianist. He also writes orchestrated jazz pieces. Mike Westbrook was born in Torquay. After working in Accountancy, he joined the National Service, some of which was sent to Germany, and enrolled in art school in Plymouth. He also studied painting and soon formed his first bands, which were quickly joined by Lou Gare, Keith Rowe, and John Surman. Westbrook was a leader in many bands and regularly played at the Old Place as well as the Little Theatre Club after he moved to London in 1962. Westbrook, Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath and Chris McGregor shared the House Band role at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. He was a major figure in the development British Jazz. Between 1967 and 1969, he produced several big band records for the Mike Westbrook Concert Band, which included such musicians as Surman and Mike Osborne. The band was varied in size, with 10 to 26 members. His band made its international debut at Montreux Festival 1968 with Malcolm Griffiths and Alan Jackson. They were joined by Harry Miller, Mike Osborne, John Surman, Mike Osborne, Mike Osborne, Mike Osborne, Mike Osborne, Mike Osborne, and Mike Osborne. There were many different projects in the 1970s. Cosmic Circus was co-founded with John Fox. It specializes in high-tech shows that are large-scale and one-off. This included tightrope, high-divers, carnival procesions, and many other high-tech elements. It was part Earthrise Tour in the UK from May 1970 to October 1971. This also included singer/vocalist Norma Winstone, who was a part of several albums. Adrian Mitchell invited Mike Westbrook to perform his musical “Tyger”, a play about William Blake, for the Royal National Theatre. This would have a significant influence on Mike Westbrook’s later work (see paragraph below on his later work). He also worked with his jazz-rock band Solid Gold Cadillac in 1972/73. This was a major influence on Phil Minton’s participation. His distinctive voice would be heard in many Westbrook’s later projects. BBC Radio 6 broadcast a live performance of Solid Gold Cadillac at the Paris Theatre in London between 2002-2007. The Orckestra was formed in March 1977 by the Mike Westbrook Brass band, avant-rock group Henry Cow, and folk singer Frankie Armstrong. They performed in London, several European cities, and their final concert was in Bordeaux, France, May 1978. His theatre work began in 1971 with Adrian Mitchell’s Tyger, a celebration of William Blake. It was staged by Royal National Theatre. This was the beginning of his Brass Band, which he used in the 1970s and 1980s. The album ‘The Westbrook Blake- Bright As Fire’ came later in 1980. In 1997, a revised and expanded version was recorded and renamed ‘Glad Day. The Brass Band recorded “Mama Chicago”, a Jazz Cabaret that featured the voices Phil Minton, Kate Westbrook, and others. In 2007, the album was first released on CD. Mike further developed the work and now it includes an adult choir as well as a children’s choir for live performances. Other notable works include “On Duke’s Birthday”, which was dedicated in memory of Duke Ellington. Also, “Big Band Rossini”, which was featured in 1992 BBC Proms u0026 Chanson Irresponsable(2002), commissioned BBC Radio 3. This is a collaboration between jazz and classical musicians, the New Westbrook Orchestra. In 1988, Mike was given an OBE and in 2004, the University of Plymouth gave him an Honorary Doctorate of Music. He continues to create jazz scores for theatre, many of which he co-produced with Kate Westbrook, a singer/songwriter. He was also featured in Jazz Britannia, a 2003 BBC documentary. Other projects include ART WOLF, which is inspired by Caspar Wolf’s life and work as an Alpine painter. This Kate
