Mike Westbrook's
Latest News
Latest News
ANNIVERSARIES
The Cortège
July will mark the 46th anniversary of the premiere of The Cortège at Bracknell Festival in 1979. In honour of the occasion Cadillac Records will release a new album THE CORTÈGE LIVE AT THE BBC 1980, currently being produced in Dublin by Fiachra Trench and engineer Brian Masterson. This broadcast pre-dates the 1982 album with an earlier form of the work. That album has been unobtainable following the demise of Enja Records. See our "Moving Picture Show" page to view Tony Staveacre's BBC documentary of The Cortege on Tour 1982.
Citadel/Room 315
2025 sees the 50th anniversary of the release on RCA of the album Citadel/Room 315, Mike Westbrook’s composition with soloist John Surman. It was re-issued in 1979 and again in 1991 in BMGs Novus Series. In 2006 is was released on CD by BGO. Since then it has been unavailable. In 2020 My Only Desire records released on vinyl and CD the album Love and Understanding, the Swedish Radio recording of the premiere of Citadel in Stockholm a year before the UK version.
A re-issue on vinyl of the original RCA album is under discussion.
On Duke’s Birthday
The 40th anniversary of the premiere of On Duke’s Birthday, and It’s release on hatART records, falls in 2025. Following a takeover of the hatHUT catalogue by Outhere records, the album has been unavailable on CD, only digitally. As a commemorative release, a live recording from the ICA, albeit of poor recording quality, may be of interest. And an album of the new, expanded version of On Duke’s Birthday recorded and filmed at Ronnie Scott’s in 2022 must surely be on the cards.The single track, Says The Duke is a sample
TRIO ON STAGE
Recorded and/or produced by Mathew North, this belated 40th anniversary tribute to the Westbrook Trio draws on live recordings from Le Petit faucheux, Tours (2013) and the Barnfield Theatre, Exeter (2014), and contains classic performances by Kate, Chris Biscoe and Mike of a number of previously un-recorded songs. Release date tbc.
The Cortège
July will mark the 46th anniversary of the premiere of The Cortège at Bracknell Festival in 1979. In honour of the occasion Cadillac Records will release a new album THE CORTÈGE LIVE AT THE BBC 1980, currently being produced in Dublin by Fiachra Trench and engineer Brian Masterson. This broadcast pre-dates the 1982 album with an earlier form of the work. That album has been unobtainable following the demise of Enja Records. See our "Moving Picture Show" page to view Tony Staveacre's BBC documentary of The Cortege on Tour 1982.
Citadel/Room 315
2025 sees the 50th anniversary of the release on RCA of the album Citadel/Room 315, Mike Westbrook’s composition with soloist John Surman. It was re-issued in 1979 and again in 1991 in BMGs Novus Series. In 2006 is was released on CD by BGO. Since then it has been unavailable. In 2020 My Only Desire records released on vinyl and CD the album Love and Understanding, the Swedish Radio recording of the premiere of Citadel in Stockholm a year before the UK version.
A re-issue on vinyl of the original RCA album is under discussion.
On Duke’s Birthday
The 40th anniversary of the premiere of On Duke’s Birthday, and It’s release on hatART records, falls in 2025. Following a takeover of the hatHUT catalogue by Outhere records, the album has been unavailable on CD, only digitally. As a commemorative release, a live recording from the ICA, albeit of poor recording quality, may be of interest. And an album of the new, expanded version of On Duke’s Birthday recorded and filmed at Ronnie Scott’s in 2022 must surely be on the cards.The single track, Says The Duke is a sample
TRIO ON STAGE
Recorded and/or produced by Mathew North, this belated 40th anniversary tribute to the Westbrook Trio draws on live recordings from Le Petit faucheux, Tours (2013) and the Barnfield Theatre, Exeter (2014), and contains classic performances by Kate, Chris Biscoe and Mike of a number of previously un-recorded songs. Release date tbc.
BLAKE BACK IN TOWN
WESTBROOK BLAKE
London date confirmed
NOW BOOKING
words by William Blake music by Mike Westbrook
featuring
Phil Minton Kate Westbrook voices
Karen Street accordion Billy Thompson violin
Chris Biscoe saxophones Steve Berry bass
Matthew Bourne & Mike Westbrook piano
choir directed by Paul Ayres
SATURDAY 20th DECEMBER 2025 at 7.30pm
BLACKHEATH HALLS
23 LEE ROAD
LONDON SE3 9RQ
info and booking
mail to: boxoffice@blackheathhalls.com
“Originally developed as Tyger, Adrian Mitchell’s musical about William Blake, and created in pre-Thatcher, pre-crash days, Westbrook Blake seemed acelebratory work of hope. Innocence even. Experience now recasts it as a warning and heartfelt cry of passion. Blake’s outcries against enslavement, child exploitation, spiritual and economic repression demand an audience more than ever before.” Andy Robson Jazzwise
“As Blake said, fire will find its form, and Westbrook Blake represents the perfect convergence of content and form. Vioiln, accordion and bass put you in mind of Kurt Weill or Stravinsky’s Soldiers Tale, and the playful fantasy of an imaginary folk group is a powerful one - a troupe of minstrels from Blake’s own time who have managed to sneak back through a time portal to the modern age.” Philip Clark Gramophone
supported by Airshaft Trust
admin@westbrookjazz.co.uk
peter@peterconwaymanagement.com
www.westbrookjazz.co.uk
WESTBROOK BLAKE
London date confirmed
NOW BOOKING
words by William Blake music by Mike Westbrook
featuring
Phil Minton Kate Westbrook voices
Karen Street accordion Billy Thompson violin
Chris Biscoe saxophones Steve Berry bass
Matthew Bourne & Mike Westbrook piano
choir directed by Paul Ayres
SATURDAY 20th DECEMBER 2025 at 7.30pm
BLACKHEATH HALLS
23 LEE ROAD
LONDON SE3 9RQ
info and booking
mail to: boxoffice@blackheathhalls.com
“Originally developed as Tyger, Adrian Mitchell’s musical about William Blake, and created in pre-Thatcher, pre-crash days, Westbrook Blake seemed acelebratory work of hope. Innocence even. Experience now recasts it as a warning and heartfelt cry of passion. Blake’s outcries against enslavement, child exploitation, spiritual and economic repression demand an audience more than ever before.” Andy Robson Jazzwise
“As Blake said, fire will find its form, and Westbrook Blake represents the perfect convergence of content and form. Vioiln, accordion and bass put you in mind of Kurt Weill or Stravinsky’s Soldiers Tale, and the playful fantasy of an imaginary folk group is a powerful one - a troupe of minstrels from Blake’s own time who have managed to sneak back through a time portal to the modern age.” Philip Clark Gramophone
supported by Airshaft Trust
admin@westbrookjazz.co.uk
peter@peterconwaymanagement.com
www.westbrookjazz.co.uk
BAND OF BANDS ON THE ENGLISH RIVIERA
Kate Westbrook Chris Biscoe Karen Street Pete Whyman
voice saxophones accordion saxophones
Marcus Vergette Coach York Matthew Bourne Mike Westbrook
bass drums keyboards
SUNDAY 23rd NOVEMBER 3pm doors 2.15
LIVERMEAD CLIFF HOTEL
Seafront Torbay Road
TORQUAY TQ2 6RQ
presented by Fougou Jazz
information and booking
https://fougoumusic.com/fougoujazz/mike-westbrook-band-of-bands
reservations by email at fougoujazz@gmail.com (payment on the door)
supported by Airshaft Trust
A rare chance to see and hear Mike’s acclaimed new band. Band of Bands brings together an all-star cast of long term musical associates. There are re-creations of Westbrook classics alongside new songs, and lesser-known standards, all interpreted by some of the UK’s most creative and distinguished soloists.
Kate Westbrook Chris Biscoe Karen Street Pete Whyman
voice saxophones accordion saxophones
Marcus Vergette Coach York Matthew Bourne Mike Westbrook
bass drums keyboards
SUNDAY 23rd NOVEMBER 3pm doors 2.15
LIVERMEAD CLIFF HOTEL
Seafront Torbay Road
TORQUAY TQ2 6RQ
presented by Fougou Jazz
information and booking
https://fougoumusic.com/fougoujazz/mike-westbrook-band-of-bands
reservations by email at fougoujazz@gmail.com (payment on the door)
supported by Airshaft Trust
A rare chance to see and hear Mike’s acclaimed new band. Band of Bands brings together an all-star cast of long term musical associates. There are re-creations of Westbrook classics alongside new songs, and lesser-known standards, all interpreted by some of the UK’s most creative and distinguished soloists.
This is an afternoon concert with the music starting at 3.00pm. Why not treat yourself to Sunday lunch at the hotel (details here) or, if a bar meal is more to your liking then check out their menu here To book a meal call the hotel on 01803 299666
“Illusions - Band Of Bands
A band for all seasons from composers with a gift for conjuring up the gladness of hearts.
Here’s to Life!” Andy Robson in Jazzwise
A band for all seasons from composers with a gift for conjuring up the gladness of hearts.
Here’s to Life!” Andy Robson in Jazzwise
THE CORTÈGE LIVE AT THE BBC 1980
Mike Westbrook Orchestra
Cadillac Records Double CD SGCCD024/025
release date FRIDAY 14th NOVEMBER
This BBC recording which pre-dated the studio release on Original Records is now being issued for the first time, newly mastered from the original recording. A large-scale work incorporating settings of European poetry: vocalists Phil Minton and Kate Westbrook with a 16-piece Orchestra, originally commissioned by Bracknell Festival in 1979. Performed at concerts and festivals around Europe prior to its London premiere at the Roundhouse in October 1980 and this BBC studio session.
Video: The Cortege on Tour - Documentary
Mike Westbrook Orchestra
Cadillac Records Double CD SGCCD024/025
release date FRIDAY 14th NOVEMBER
This BBC recording which pre-dated the studio release on Original Records is now being issued for the first time, newly mastered from the original recording. A large-scale work incorporating settings of European poetry: vocalists Phil Minton and Kate Westbrook with a 16-piece Orchestra, originally commissioned by Bracknell Festival in 1979. Performed at concerts and festivals around Europe prior to its London premiere at the Roundhouse in October 1980 and this BBC studio session.
Video: The Cortege on Tour - Documentary
AND on TV
HOTEL AMIGO 1983
featuring
LOS AMIGOS
aka The Mike Westbrook Brass Band
Sunday 5th October 9.00pm
and
Monday 6th October 1.00am
REWIND TV
Freeview Channel 81
Sky Channel 182
Los Amigos play dance music in a rundown hotel, but in their backstage dreams, dancers transform the night into a surreal spectacle of fantasy and movement.
If you aren't able to watch the broadcast, Hotel Amigo is also on the Moving Picture show on WestbrookJazz in a new enhanced Editors Cut.
Video: Hotel Amigo
HOTEL AMIGO 1983
featuring
LOS AMIGOS
aka The Mike Westbrook Brass Band
Sunday 5th October 9.00pm
and
Monday 6th October 1.00am
REWIND TV
Freeview Channel 81
Sky Channel 182
Los Amigos play dance music in a rundown hotel, but in their backstage dreams, dancers transform the night into a surreal spectacle of fantasy and movement.
If you aren't able to watch the broadcast, Hotel Amigo is also on the Moving Picture show on WestbrookJazz in a new enhanced Editors Cut.
Video: Hotel Amigo
IN THE PIPELINE
Citadel/Room 315 50th Anniversary Re-issue
Westbrook Trio On Stage
IN PREPARATION
Hotel Amigo Los Amigos
Mike Westbrook solo the piano in the room and the blues
On Dukes Birthday at the ICA 1985
and more….
Citadel/Room 315 50th Anniversary Re-issue
Westbrook Trio On Stage
IN PREPARATION
Hotel Amigo Los Amigos
Mike Westbrook solo the piano in the room and the blues
On Dukes Birthday at the ICA 1985
and more….
Mike Westbrook
