Mike Westbrook - finally the big band is back...

[jazzscriveyn]

Anyone else planning to be at the Exeter Trio gig next week?

[sidewinder]

Anyone else planning to be at the Exeter Trio gig next week?

Quite possibly. With it being a Friday night would make the drive to Exeter feasible.

[jazzscriveyn]

I'll be staying in town for the night. Would be nice to see you there.

[sidewinder]

I'll be staying in town for the night. Would be nice to see you there.

Yes, if I manage to head over I'll say hello. It will be nice to catch a set by the Westbrook Trio.

[A Lark Ascending]

Quite a few West Country gigs in the summer but mostly too early for me.

However, this one looks possible:

AUG Sun 03

7.30pm

Mike Westbrook Big Band
A Bigger Show


The Drewe Arms
Drewsteignton
Devon
EX6 6QN

01647 281409

I'm actually in Sidmouth for the folk festival but the main items that night are not must hears. Might take off for north Dartmoor for that.

Been listening to Marching Song this evening. Fabulous.

Edited May 13, 2014 by A Lark Ascending

[sidewinder]

Drewe Arms might also be an option for me. Sundays in August are a reasonable bet, travel wise.

[A Lark Ascending]

Drewe Arms might also be an option for me. Sundays in August are a reasonable bet, travel wise.

As above, let me know if you plan to go. Nice to say hello.

I saw them there a couple of years back (on the only hot day in 2012!) and they were fabulous.

[jazzscriveyn]

... A Bigger Show ...

Yes, I'm curious what that programme will be.

As I've seen the Big Band a few times over the past years, my priority is the Trio right now.

Also I'm booked for the Barry Guy New Orchestra on the 21st at Café OTO as I'm passing through London on the way to Exeter.

[A Lark Ascending]

Also I'm booked for the Barry Guy New Orchestra on the 21st at Café OTO as I'm passing through London on the way to Exeter.

I am extremely jealous. If it had been a week later I'd have probably done the three nights. I always manage to miss Barry Guy (though I don't think he deliberately avoids me like Louis Stewart does).

[jazzscriveyn]

Also I'm booked for the Barry Guy New Orchestra on the 21st at Café OTO as I'm passing through London on the way to Exeter.

... though I don't think he deliberately avoids me ...

If the living were less expensive and maybe the air a bit cleaner, Café OTO and the Vortex would be reason enough to move to London.

[sidewinder]

Also I'm booked for the Barry Guy New Orchestra on the 21st at Café OTO as I'm passing through London on the way to Exeter.

... though I don't think he deliberately avoids me ...

If the living were less expensive and maybe the air a bit cleaner, Café OTO and the Vortex would be reason enough to move to London.

Only feasible these days if you are an oligarch ! Still, at least they get to breath the cruddy air.

Edited May 14, 2014 by sidewinder

[Head Man]

....... I'm passing through London on the way to Exeter.

Wow, where do you live?.....the Hook of Holland?

[jazzscriveyn]

....... I'm passing through London on the way to Exeter.

Wow, where do you live?.....the Hook of Holland?

Not nearly as close - Southern Germany

[jazzscriveyn]

If the living were less expensive and maybe the air a bit cleaner, Café OTO and the Vortex would be reason enough to move to London.

Only feasible these days if you are an oligarch ! Still, at least they get to breath the cruddy air.

[mjazzg]

No oligarchs around here and just a 30 minute bus ride to Oto/Vortex. Air's still crap though

Edited May 14, 2014 by mjazzg

[A Lark Ascending]

Westbrook Blake wonderful tonight in Bath. The version that was recorded and videoed a couple of years back. I had doubts before I heard it - given how important the reeds were on the late-70s disc I couldn't imagine how an accordion and violin could substitute. The recording won me over instantly and tonight confirmed its success. All three soloists - Billy Thompson, Karen Street and Steve Berry were superb. Phil Minton was incredibly powerful in his pieces and Kate Westbrook very effective in hers - this piece doesn't encourage her to overdo it. Mike played that very distinctive minimalist piano to perfection. And special praise to the choir who were a joy.

Excellent sound too - rarely the case in a church. My second favourite Westbrook piece - glad to have finally heard it live.

Edited May 23, 2015 by A Lark Ascending

[RogerF]

Westbrook Blake wonderful tonight in Bath. The version that was recorded and videoed a couple of years back. I had doubts before I heard it - given how important the reeds were on the late-70s disc I couldn't imagine how an accordion and violin could substitute. The recording won me over instantly and tonight confirmed its success. All three soloists - Billy Thompson, Karen Street and Steve Berry were superb. Phil Minton was incredibly powerful in his pieces and Kate Westbrook very effective in hers - this piece doesn't encourage her to overdo it. Mike played that very distinctive minimalist piano to perfection. And special praise to the choir who were a joy.

Excellent sound too - rarely the case in a church. My second favourite Westbrook piece - glad to have finally heard it live.

Thanks for that review Bev, I am sorely jealous and just wish Mike would play about 100 miles further East!

Edited May 23, 2015 by RogerF

[Head Man]

Westbrook Blake wonderful tonight in Bath. The version that was recorded and videoed a couple of years back. I had doubts before I heard it - given how important the reeds were on the late-70s disc I couldn't imagine how an accordion and violin could substitute. The recording won me over instantly and tonight confirmed its success. All three soloists - Billy Thompson, Karen Street and Steve Berry were superb. Phil Minton was incredibly powerful in his pieces and Kate Westbrook very effective in hers - this piece doesn't encourage her to overdo it. Mike played that very distinctive minimalist piano to perfection. And special praise to the choir who were a joy.

Excellent sound too - rarely the case in a church. My second favourite Westbrook piece - glad to have finally heard it live.

Thanks for that review Bev, I am sorely jealous and just wish Mike would play about 100 miles further East!

...and a further 200 miles North......

[A Lark Ascending]

Indeed - I've been lucky enough to see him three times in the last few years - but only because the gigs coincided with holidays when I was in the vicinity. unfortunately his new concert show is being performed a while before I get down this way again in the summer.

[sidewinder]

Hope to catch them (the Big band) in Exeter next Friday. Lots more West Country options coming up after that.

I'm tempted to make the drive down to Falmouth on Monday. We'll have to see..

Edited May 24, 2015 by sidewinder

[Chris_T]

Bev, I agree... a great night. They seem to be lucky with the churches for the Blake. The concert last year at St. Giles in London had similar acoustics.

For anyone thinking of seeing 'A Bigger Show' there is a list of the gigs taking place here: http://www.westbrookjazz.co.uk/mikewestbrook/diary.shtml

A recording will be made of the piece at The Barnfield Theatre in July and we are inviting people to become Patrons of The Orchestra. This is something we did before with the recording of The Cortege as you will no doubt remember Bev . Details: http://www.westbrookjazz.co.uk/mikewestbrook/bigband/index.shtml

By the way, if any of you who would like to hear Mike play elsewhere in the country have any influence with the people who run your local venues, please do use that influence.

Edited May 24, 2015 by Chris_T

[A Lark Ascending]

Ooooh!

I clearly didn't check those dates with enough care. I'm in Sidmouth on July 31st - slight holiday readjustment and I can be there a day earlier for the Exeter show.

And I'll certainly sign up for an advance copy. I often use my Patron of the Mike Westbrook Orchestra status from The Cortège on job applications or other circumstances where indications of superior standing are required for preferment.

Thanks, Chris

[Head Man]

By the way, if any of you who would like to hear Mike play elsewhere in the country have any influence with the people who run your local venues, please do use that influence.

What local venues?.......The one in Darlington closed several years ago due to government cuts and the building itself was sold recently so there's absolutely no chance that it will ever open again.

My "local" venue is now The Sage in Gateshead.... a hundred mile round trip. I'm surprised Mike hasn't been offered a gig there, by the way.

[Chris_T]

The Sage receive our information but show no interest.

[RogerF]

Bev, I agree... a great night. They seem to be lucky with the churches for the Blake. The concert last year at St. Giles in London had similar acoustics.

For anyone thinking of seeing 'A Bigger Show' there is a list of the gigs taking place here: http://www.westbrookjazz.co.uk/mikewestbrook/diary.shtml

A recording will be made of the piece at The Barnfield Theatre in July and we are inviting people to become Patrons of The Orchestra. This is something we did before with the recording of The Cortege as you will no doubt remember Bev . Details: http://www.westbrookjazz.co.uk/mikewestbrook/bigband/index.shtml

By the way, if any of you who would like to hear Mike play elsewhere in the country have any influence with the people who run your local venues, please do use that influence.

Chris - I can't believe that our premier jazz composer and bandleader has to ask for gigs in the capital city. This is a ridiculous state of affairs and I know that there would be several hundred London-based fans who would willingly walk over hot coals to see the MWBB play at say the London Jazz Festival. Does Serious not have an interest? Seriously?