MUSIC IS – CHRIS BISCOE PLAYS MIKE WESTBROOK

Mike Westbrook is one of the most important composers in jazz with a huge body of work from small band jazz through big bands, cabaret, fusion, chamber works, opera, settings of poetry, creative re-workings of Rossini and The Beatles’ Abbey Road, always retaining his unique
character.

The idea behind Music Is is a simple one: take some of these great pieces out of their context and play them with a small jazz group, as you might an Ellington, Monk or Gershwin song.

Chris Biscoe – soprano, alto, baritone sax, alto clarinet – George Russell, Hermeto Pascoal,
Brotherhood of Breath, Mike Westbrook, Profiles of Mingus.
Kate Williams – piano - Parliamentary Jazz Awards winner for Best Album in 2020.
Mike Outram – guitar - Credits include Tim Garland, Robert Fripp, Jacqui Dankworth
Dave Whitford – double bass - Bobby Wellins Quartet and Bill Frisell.
Jon Scott – drums -first with Kairos 4Tet, now with GoGo Penguin and Mulatu Astatke.

The songbook includes:
Music is, Mama Chicago, Goin to Chicago, Aggro-Vancouver-Desperado, View From The Drawbridge, July ‘79, Graffitti, Wasteground and Weeds and two of Mike’s favourite standards: You Leave me Breathless and Johnny Come Lately.

Chris May, All About Jazz ****
Everything about 'Music Is: Chris Biscoe Plays Mike Westbrook' is near perfect: the simplicity of the concept, the choice of material, the uncluttered nature of the arrangements, the quality of the performances....A little gem.

Andy Robson, Jazzwise **** some of Westbrook's best songs alongside a stellar band 

Brian Payne, Jazz Journal
Much of the music was improvised on the day of recording by this talented quintet and the results are superb – it’s an exhilarating album.

Duncan Heining, All About Jazz ****1⁄2
Biscoe’s 44-year association with the great British composer Mike Westbrook and his music, and life partner Kate Westbrook gives him a unique insight into their artistic world.

Music Is: available as a CD (Trio 607) or as a download from Chris Biscoe’s Bandcamp page.
For more information see

www.chrisbiscoe.co.uk
https://chrisbiscoe.co.uk/biscoe-westbrook.shtml
https://chrisbiscoe.bandcamp.com/album/music-is-chris-biscoe-plays-mike-westbrook
https://www.facebook.com/ChrisBiscoe.Jazz

Date: Sunday 19 Jan 2025- 8:00pm
Tickets:
Standard £17
Students £10
Live steaming £5 (A YouTube access link will be sent in the afternoon of 19 January 2025)