Michael John David Westbrook, better known as Mike Westbrook, born on March 21, 1936, in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, was an English jazz pianist and composer. After studying painting at art school in Plymouth, he began his musical career in 1958 with bands featuring musicians like John Surman. Westbrook moved to London in 1963, leading various ensembles and performing regularly at notable venues such as Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. His breakthrough came with several big-band records for Deram Records between 1967 and 1969, including Celebration and Marching Song Vol. 1. Westbrook's international debut occurred in 1968 with his band at the Montreux Festival. He continued to release influential albums like Metropolis (1971) and Citadel/Room 315 (1975), collaborating with artists such as John Surman. Westbrook received an OBE in 1988 and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the University of Plymouth in 2004. Mike Westbrook died on April 11, 2026, at the age of 90.
