Multi-reed player Chris Biscoe has worked and toured with Mike and Kate Westbrook since 1979 and knows their music intimately. Mike Westbrook has a huge body of work, with characterful influential compositions whose performances range across small band jazz, through big bands, cabaret, fusion, chamber works – and creative re-workings of The Beatles’ Abbey Road.
Chris pays homage to his long-term musical associates in his new album ‘Music Is’ whose underlying simple idea is to rework some of the ‘magnum opus’ Westbrook pieces for a small jazz group, as you might an Ellington, Monk or Gershwin song.
Arrangements are simple, or created in the studio in partnership with members of the quintet. The title track, ‘Music Is’, appears twice, in its original ballad tempo, and in a spontaneous trio recasting as a medium tempo waltz.
“Everything about [the album] ‘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, the clarity of the recording. A little gem” All About Jazz
Chris Biscoe – soprano, alto & baritone sax + alto clarinet
Mike Outram – guitar
Kate Williams – piano
Dave Whitford – bass
Jon Scott – drums
The Bonington
