MIKE WESTBROOK “Band of Bands”

Mike Westbrook:
Band of Bands
Westbrook Records
westbrookjazz.co.uk
Chris Biscoe (cl., saxes), Karen Street (accordion, vocals), Mike Westbrook (piano), Marcus Vergette (double bass), Coach York (drums), Kate Westbrook (vocals)
Ashburton, November 25, 2023

Despite its leader’s advanced age, the Mike Westbrook Band remains one of the most compelling and dynamic orchestras on the international jazz scene. A striking example of this enduring vitality is Band of Bands, whose title seems to nod toward a kind of summa of the various ensembles that, over the past sixty years, have seen a steady succession of gifted English musicians. Many of them have grown deeply attached to Westbrook over time and are always ready to answer his call.

There are countless stories about the band’s travels, its ability to navigate unpredictable situations, and the sense of belonging it fosters. Despite the challenges and discomforts that often come with performing in a large ensemble, the group draws intimate pleasure from simply being together. From the opening track, you can feel the musicians’ commitment to making every note count, their shared resolve to deliver a first-rate recording.

The album was beautifully recorded live, capturing not only the immediacy of the moment but also the heightened alertness with which the musicians respond to one another. The interplay is electrifying, generating a thrilling sense of anticipation—especially in the magnificent “Blues for Terenzi,” which begins with an almost tentative piano solo from Westbrook. The meditative tone carries both nostalgia and reverence for the late Italian trombonist, a musical and spiritual anchor of the orchestra’s earlier incarnation. One by one, the soloists step forward, their improvisations underscoring the fact that this ensemble is more than the sum of its parts—it is a living organism, breathing and moving as one.

And yet, if there is a king at the helm of the orchestra, there is an even greater queen: Kate Westbrook. She is the undeniable star of this extraordinary performance. Her vocal range is formidable, but it is her ability to infuse each word with emotional nuance—twisting its inflections, charging it with layered meaning—that truly astonishes. Few vocalists in the world can match this depth of expression.

This album is not only essential listening for longtime followers of the English maestro, but a must for anyone who cherishes orchestral jazz at its most powerful and poetic.

—Giancarlo Spezia