Mike Westbrook ‘Band of Bands’

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Last Show: Sunday 24 th September 2023

PizzaExpress Jazz Club (Soho)

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Westbrook Trio, internationally acclaimed composer and pianist Mike Westbrook brings his latest performance project to the heart of Soho. BAND of BANDS brings together key musicians from Mike and Kate Westbrook’s many small-scale projects. Joining the Trio of Kate, Mike and saxophonist Chris Biscoe, are four long-time alumni,- accordionist Karen Street, saxophonist/clarinettist Pete Whyman, Marcus Vergette on bass and Coach York on drums.

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“Whether he is writing for a trio or a 20 piece orchestra, Westbrook's style is unmistakable. He combines instruments in unique ways, twists conventional jazz forms into surprising new shapes and seasons it all with delicate touches of humour and irony.”

The Observer

M I K E W E S T B R O O K

“Westbrook's style is unmistakable. He combines instruments in unique ways, twists conventional jazz forms into surprising new shapes and seasons it all with delicate touches of humour and rony.” - The Observer

www.westbrookjazz.co.uk

BAND of BANDS

Kate Westbrook ”one of the most unique, expressive and flexible voices one could find between the Atlantic and the Urals” Jazz Magazine (France)

Karen Street “transfixed the audience…..the most astonishing single piece of playing I’ve heard this year.” The Blue Moment

Chris Biscoe “He’s made the territory between post-bop and freejazz entirely his own” - The Guardian 

Pete Whyman “A fine virtuoso.The level of technical certainty was awesome.” - The Guardian 

Marcus Vergette “composer, sculptor, bell-maker, and a bass player renowned for his Mingus-like prowess.” Paintbox

Coach York “..powerhouse kit work -very hard, granular, crystalline and rock solid” London Jazz

Supported by Airshaft Trust

Formed in 1982 the Trio is the longest established and most widely travelled of all Mike’s ensembles. The group’s mix of composition, song and improvisation has been at the heart of many Westbrook projects, from the seminal Brass Band of the ‘70s to the current Uncommon Orchestra.

The unique repertoire around which the performance of the Band of Bands is based, has been shaped by the experience of touring and of collaborating with artists in many countries. There are re-creations of Westbrook classics alongside new compositions, and arrangements of some lesser known standards, all interpreted by some of the UK’s most original and distinctive soloists.

Band Line Up

Mike Westbrook (piano)

Kate Westbrook (vocals)

Chris Biscoe (sax)

Karen Street (accordionist) 

Pete Whyman (saxophonist/clarinettist)

Marcus Vergette (bass)

Coach York (drums)