Tuesday 12th April 2022
First House
18:00
£30.00 - £50.00
Mike Westbrook
THE UNCOMMON ORCHESTRA
On Duke’s Birthday
Mike Westbrook, “Britain’s most innovative Big Band leader” the Wire, and The UNCOMMON ORCHESTRA return to the club with one of Mike’s best known and most loved works On Duke’s Birthday dedicated to the memory of Duke Ellington. This is the first time that the full-scale version of the piece will be performed in London.
Compositions for Jazz Orchestra have been a thread running through Mike Westbrook’s career since the 1960s. Regarded as Classics, works like Marching Song, Metropolis, Citadel/ Room 315 and The Cortège were widely performed at Festivals throughout Europe and the UK. His Big Band Rossini was the first jazz work ever to be performed in the BBC Proms. A three-day festival in Catania, Sicily in 1992 devoted to Mike’s work for the Orchestra, is commemorated in his recent album Catania.
The Uncommon Orchestra “ambitious, unapologetic and uncategorisable” Jazz Wise is a West Country-based big band formed ten years ago. The band is now established internationally through its performances, including Ronnie Scotts in 2019, a triumphant tour in Italy and the release of the acclaimed album A Bigger Show.
“A roaring ensemble, orchestrated by a master of the Art” Listomania
The Uncommon Orchestra
Saxophones: Roz Harding, Chris Biscoe, Pete Whyman, Sarah Dean, Alan Wakeman, Ian Wellens.
Trumpets: Graham Russell, Robin Pengilley, Andy Hague Sam Massey.
Trombones: Joe Carnell, Sam Chamberlain-Keen, Stewart Stunell, Ashley Nayler.
Piano: Billie Bottle
Guitar: Jesse Molins & Matthew North .
Violin: Dominique Pifarely
Cello: Frank Schaefer
Bass: Marcus Vergette
Drums: Coach York
Vocals: Kate Westbrook & Phil Minton
Musical direction: Mike Westbrook Matthew Bourne
www.westbrookjazz.co.uk