Live at Torquay Town Hall
Back where it all started for Mike Westbrook at Torquay Town Hall, when Torquay was a mecca for big bands. In the post-war Jazz boom of the late I94O’s and through the 1950’s Torquay Town Hall hosted many of the touring bands of the day, including those of Johnny Dankworth and Ronnie Scott, and the great Stan Kenton with summer residences by Ted Heath, Jack Parnell and Geraldo at the Spa Ballroom by the harbour. It was here that Mike Westbrook had his first experience of live jazz. Mike went on to an international career as composer and bandleader.
On Sunday August 25 Mike returned to the scene of his first inspiration with his current ensemble, The Uncommon Orchestra, brimming with talent and fresh from a triumphant sold-out appearance at Ronnie Scott’s club, with a programme that combines Westbrook’s originals with classics by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton and many more. Not used as a music venue for many years, Torquay Town Hall once again reverberated to the magical sound of the big band.
