K A T E W E S T B R O O K voice
M I K E W E S T B R O O K piano
D U O
original songs, jazz ballads and music theatre.
photo: Joss Reiver Bany
Composer/bandleader Mike Westbrook and singer/librettist Kate Westbrook first
joined forces in the mid-1970's. Touring and performing worldwide, they have
generated a huge variety of vocal music, from cabaret songs to opera. They have
produced epic concert works, notably LONDON BRIDGE IS BROKEN DOWN
(BGO Records), based on settings of European poetry, as well as reworkings of the
standard repertoire, including the music of Kurt Weill, Friedrich Hollaender and Cole
Porter.
Kate Westbrook’s repertoire embraces Contemporary Music and Cabaret, as well as
Jazz and Popular Song. She has written libretti for Opera and Music-Theatre. In her
recent album, CUFF CLOUT (voiceprint), as reviewed in Downbeat magazine “
Westbrook sets her witty and eccentric texts to bold and fascinating genre-crossing
music.” Her latest CD THE NIJINSKA CHAMBER, celebrates the life of the dancer
and choreographer Bronislava Nijinska.
Mike Westbrook has led and composed for a succession of big bands and small
groups since the 1960s. His settings of the poetry of Willliam Blake, THE WESTBROOK BLAKE, have been described in The Independent on Sunday as“Perhaps the greatest work in all British Jazz.” His latest album CHANSON
IRRESPONSABLE, performed by the 15-piece New Westbrook Orchestra, a group
that combines Jazz and Classical musicians, is released on Enja Records.
A showcase for the zestful, powerfully dramatic vocal style of one of the UK's most individual singers, Kate Westbrook - her extraordinary impact is best savoured live." Chris Parker - The Times
Kate Westbrook emotes quite superbly, conjuring up the sense of cabaret from little more than looks, smiles and opera gloves, and a quirky series of deeply expressive personae - A continuously enthralling evening. Phil Johnson -
The Independent
Mike Westbrook is a Master of jazz orchestration. He can suggest a carnival, a ballroom, or greasy back street with a few cunningly placed notes. The full effect is awe inspiring. Dave Gelly - The Observer
London Bridge Is
Broken Down
A Composition for Voice, Jazz Orchestra & Chamber Orchestra.
Music composed and arranged by Mike Westbrook
Texts written and selected by Kate Westbrook. Album reissued by BGO Records.
Westbrook Rossini
Studio album reissue on hatOLOGY
of jazz and rock variations on themes from the operas of Gioacchino Rossini arranged for 7-piece brass band by Mike Westbrook
Mike Westbrook Village Band
Mike Westbrook Village Band brings together a group of South Devon musicians to play his compositions and arrangements.
Westbrook Duo
Kate & Mike Westbrook in a programme of original songs, Jazz ballads and music theatre.
Art Wolf Music:
Mike Westbrook,
Libretto:
Kate Westbrook.
Inspired by the life and work of the Swiss Alpine painter Caspar Wolf.
Off Abbey Road Based on The Beatles’ Abbey Road album. Commissioned by Comune di Reggio Emilia for a festival in Reggio Emilia in December 1988 celebrating the music of The Beatles.
Westbrook Blake
Glad Day Composed by Mike Westbrook with texts by William Blake. We celebrate the 250th birthday of William Blake in 2007 with a choral performance of the work.
