Chi la ricorda tra le compositrici che a suo tempo concorsero alla realizzazione di uno dei progetti più belli e impegnativi di Kate Westbrook, Cuff Clout - tra queste anche Lindsay Cooper, Jenni Roditi, Eleanor Alberga e Barbara Thompson - avrà forse piacere di apprendere che la pianista Errollyn Wallen è appena stata insignita da Carlo III, re del Regno Unito di Gran Bretagna e Irlanda del Nord, della nomina di Master of the King's Music, seconda donna in assoluto in questa carica: "I am thrilled to accept this royal appointment. It will be a privilege and a great honour to serve His Majesty The King, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. I look forward to championing music and music-making for all."
With Cuff Clout Kate Westbrook presents a new take on the English Music-Hall. The dominant form of popular entertainment throughout the early 20th century, Music-Hall was a loose assemblage of songs and sketches, both comic and serious, spiced with political satire and sexual innuendo. In her neoteric Music-Hall - 'a Music-Hall for the 21st century' - Kate brings together the disparate elements of traditional Music-Hall in a thoroughly contemporary context. Her lyrics embrace tragedy and comedy, and range from high art to knock-about. By inviting eight composers from across the whole spectrum of contemporary music to set her texts, Kate has ensured a rich and surprising mix of musical genres.
https://katewestbrook.bandcamp.com/album/cuff-clout
https://tinyurl.com/CuffClout
https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/errollyn-wallen-cbe
https://www.theguardian.com/first-black-woman-master-of-the-king-music