The Westbrook Blake

William Blake’s poetry has run like a Golden Thread through the music of Mike Westbrook for over 50 years. His acclaimed settings of Blake’s visionary poetry continue to resonate powerfully with modern audiences.

The first songs were written in 1971 for the National Theatre production of poet Adrian Mitchell’s stage musical TYGER, a tribute to Blake. In 1974, Mike formed his touring group, The Brass Band. The Blake songs became a cornerstone of the band’s repertoire. They have remained so ever since.

From the beginning the Blake songs have been primarily associated with the voices of Phil Minton and Kate Westbrook, two of the most original and distinctive vocalists in contemporary music. Their unique partnership has been at the heart of many of Mike Westbrook’s compositions, notably his 1979 work, The Cortège.

The current ensemble, formed in 2007, brings together some of the UK’s finest and most creative musicians from the worlds of jazz and contemporary music. Karen Street is a brilliant accordionist and frequent Westbrook collaborator, violinist Billy Thompson is a dazzling virtuoso. Steve Berry is a master double bassist and a mainstay of the Westbrook Orchestra, while the incomparable saxophonist Chris Biscoe has played a central role in Westbrook projects since the 1980s.

Sharing the piano with Mike Westbrook is the highly talented young composer Matthew Bourne.