Cortège

Mike Westbrook
Duration: 23:31
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Mike Westbrook was one of the most path-forging band leaders and composers in all of England. He was as prolific as his music was diverse. Westbrook wrote music for theater, opera, radio, film and television and recorded over 50 albums. His most notable palette was experimental big band jazz. Westbrook sounded like few other arrangers, favoring electric guitar (often with wah-wah), throaty tenor and baritone sax, a rock-ish back beat and voice, among other sounds. His most epic jazz piece was "Cortège," which overlays his big band with poetry in 25 snippets. Check out the spoken text at the outset; the burning, reverb-washed trumpet solo with highway visual backdrop at 1:58; and the electronically-modified bassoon at 7:58. His works are an acquired taste, to be sure, but he will long be remembered for the sheer ambition of combining so many styles and stages. Still don’t believe me? Search for the languorous "Octopus’s Garden from Mike Westbrook’s 'After Abbey Road'." Mike Westbrook passed away on April 11, 2026.

Posted by Scott Lichtman.