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Format Details: 2CD set
Release Date: 14 November 2025
Label: Cadillac Records
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 5020675000452
Genres: Jazz Contemporary
Description
A large-scale work incorporating settings of European poetry - The Cortege is a composition for voices and jazz orchestra with music by Mike Westbrook. With texts from Federico Garcia Lorca, Arthur Rimbaud, Hermann Hesse, William Blake, Giuseppe Gioachino Belli, Pennti Saarikoski, and European Folk Songs selected and edited by Kate Westbrook - and is sung by vocalists Phil Minton, Kate Westbrook with a 16 - piece orchestra originally commissioned by Bracknell Festival 1979.
This BBC recording which predated the studio release on Original Records is now being issued for the first time, newly remastered from the original recording by long term collaborator Fiachra Trench (who as an arranger and composer has worked with many famous names) and Brian Masterson at at Soundscape, Dublin. Performed at concerts and festivals around Europe and at the BBC Studio, London, 25th October 1980 for broadcast on Jazz in Britain, BBC Radio 3, 5th & 12th January 1981 this recording is being issued for the first time.
The band include many well known British jazz musicians and many who have played throughout Mike Westbrook's long career at the pinnacle of British jazz from the 1960s to the present day. Featured musicians include: Guy Barker, Dick Pearce (trumpets, flugelhorns), Malcolm Griffiths (trombone), Chris Hunter (alto and soprano saxophones, flute), Alan Wakeman (tenor and soprano saxophones, flute), Lindsay Cooper (oboe, bassoon, soprano and sopranino saxophones), Chris Biscoe (alto, baritone and soprano saxophones, flute) and Brian Godding (guitar).
Press Quotes:
"Mike Westbrook is one of Britain 's most creative, experimental and daring jazz composers." - The Times
"Britain's most innovative Big Band leader." - The Wire
"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
Tracklisting
Albert Nicholas
Evan Parker Quartet
Mike Osborne & Stan Tracey
Mike Westbrook
The Crane River Jazz Band
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Harry Beckett
Dudu Pukwana & Bob Stuckey
Mike Westbrook Orchestra
Mike Westbrook Orchestra
Mike Westbrook Orchestra
