The bard celebrates two other fine practitioners of the art, and laments a lost brewer
MIKE and Kate Westbrook last played east London 40 years ago when, as members of the Westbrook Brass Band and part of a quasi-Salvation Army unit, they performed at Stepney’s E1 Festival.
This time round, along with brilliant saxophonist Chris Biscoe, they welcome in Spring in the basement of the English Martyrs Church in Whitechapel, now the astonishing Vout-O-Renee’s club.
They’re running through A Foggy Day in London Town as I arrive, with Mike’s founding piano notes and Biscoe’s winnowing soprano horn to the fore.
CHRIS SEARLE speaks to Filipino-US saxophonist JON IRABAGON about the threat of AI in the time of Musk and Trump, and how an artist can respond
As part of the 2025 London Jazz Festival Rich Mix offered intriguing sessions titled 'Persian Jazz,' CHRIS SEARLE was there
Re-releases from Bobby Wellins/Kenny Wheeler Quintet, Larry Stabbins/Keith Tippet/Louis Moholo-Moholo, and Charles Mingus Quintet
CHRIS SEARLE speaks to saxophonist and retired NHS orthopaedic surgeon ART THEMEN


