UNCOMMON ORCHESTRA

Dec 2017: Year 12 student Sam CK, has enjoyed the opportunity to play trombone for jazz legend Mike Westbrook’s 'The Uncommon Orchestra' in his latest production A Bigger Show, on tour in London and the south-east. The show features a 21-piece ensemble, three actors, vocalists and a range of musicians.

Mike Westbrook is a jazz/rock pianist who has led and composed for a multitude of groups, including his 1960s ‘Sextet and Concert Band’ and the jazz-rock group ‘Solid Gold Cadillac’. He has upwards of 40 albums to his credit.

Sam was contacted by Mike Westbrook via the Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra, as he was a known player with them. Mike was a trombonist short for his upcoming tour and since then Sam has become a core player for the band – one of his latest gigs was to Birmingham in December 2017.

Sam said: “Playing alongside such top musicians has really inspired me to practise harder and the whole experience has opened my eyes to a new level of musicianship.”

By student reporter Megan C