Telephone Number : 01903 416 994 or 07748 113 975
Email address : mw@michaelwooldridge.co.uk
Website : www.michaelwooldridge.co.uk
Address : PO Box 3403, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN16 9JR
As heard playing live to 5 million people on BBC Radio 2's 'Steve Wright in the Afternoon'!
Michael is a master musician, skilled with the theatre, electronic and classical organ, piano and keyboard. He loves all kinds of music, so whether you are planning a Concert, Wedding, Dance, Cocktail Party, Show or, in fact, any event where you need the very finest music possible, he is the person you need to call.
Michael is often heard on BBC Radio 2's ever popular programme, The Organist Entertains, and amongst many varied and interesting jobs, has played the Theatre Organ for HRH Prince Charles at the Odeon, Leicester Square and appeared as organ and piano soloist with the legendary Mantovani Orchestra.
Since winning the prestigious ATOS UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition in 1980, Michael has remained a firm favourite in concert at electronic and theatre organ societies and, besides extensively touring the UK, has travelled to Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Ireland, Dubai and Australia. With a very extensive repertoire in many, many styles, his concert programmes are packed with popular music in all styles, orchestral, big band, shows, theatre organ, classical, rock and roll and much more, including many very well known pieces perhaps not often heard at organ concerts but always very much enjoyed.
Michael is a fully fledged show producer, having staged countless touring shows, summer seasons and pantos throughout the UK. He feels extrememly privileged to work with many of the stars he grew up admiring on television, including Supersonic Syd Little, Crackerjack and Good Morning Sunday's Don Maclean, stars of the Black and White Minstrel Show, top piano entertainer Bobby Crush, master magician Paul Daniels and, from Ireland, the hilarious Jimmy Cricket and Eurovision Song Contest winner, Dana.
He has always loved musical theatre so loves working in the orchestra pit, where he has played for a huge number of shows, including countless such favourites as Oklahoma, My Fair Lady, Carousel and Fiddler On The Roof. More unusual shows have included Cy Coleman's fabulous show, The Will Rogers' Follies: A Life In Review, As Happy As A Sandbag and in rehearsal, the 40th Aniversary production of Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice's very first show, The Likes Of Us. He's even worked with some tribute bands, first the top Madness Tribute, the Los Palmas 6, and then, during 2013, he enjoyed many theatre dates playing with tribute show The Fabulous Shadows, featuring with the UK's number one tribute artist, as voted by the Agents Association of Great Britain, Jimmy Jemain as Sir Cliff Richard.
Whilst he has a range of different organs, digital pianos and keyboards, Michael is now mostly touring with a bespoke Roland organ, which gives him a three manual Atelier for use as a stunning instrument in its own right but also as the console controlling a range of Virtual Pipe Organs including the Paramount series of Wurlitzer organs from the 3/10 through to the 50 rank flagship, the 3/12 Barton of Detroit's Redford Theatre and the Lavender Audio samples of the superb Binns Organ at the Old Independent Church in Haverhill.
He is now thrilled to pass on his knowledge and experience through his private teaching practice, giving pupils lessons in their own homes on their own organs, pianos and keyboards, or with students from further afield visiting his home for tuition. He is principal tutor at the Rye Wurlitzer Academy and spent three years as electronic organ tutor for Sussex University. Outside of normal lessons, he also makes one off visits to people to assist with how to get more from their own instruments.
Alongside his performances and teaching, Michael is now publishes the 'Organ and Keyboard Cavalcade' magazine, continuing its long tradition of supporting the keyboard, organ and digital piano world in the UK, plus bringing in new features to add interest. To view a past issue, join the free e-newsletter and to subscribe, visit www.CavalcadeProductions.co.uk
Concerts in 2022 | |
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January 9th | East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance |
January 10th | Medway Music Club (more details) with special guest, top drummer Gareth Thompson |
January 20th | Weyhill Electronic Organ Society (more details) Special Guest: Gareth Thompson |
January 30th | East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance |
February 6th | Singing Hills Wurlitzer (more details) With Tom Horton |
February 6th | Horsham Dance (more details) 8pm at The Roffey Club, Spooners Road, RH12 4DY, 01403 210 356 |
February 8th | Cosham Keyboard & Music Club |
February 11th | World of Music Dronfield (formerly North East Derbyshire Organ Society) |
February 12th | Belper & District Organ & Keyboard Club |
February 13th | Worthing Wurlitzer (more details) With special guest, Jamyma Hanson |
February 16th | Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust - Heritage Centre |
February 17th | Stockport Plaza Theatre - Spirit of the Blitz Show (more details) 2.30pm, Nostalgic Musical Variety Show featuring Andy Eastwood, Maggie O'Hara and Pete Lindup, 0161 477 7779 |
February 27th | East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance |
March 3rd | Weston Organ and Keyboard Club (more details) Orginally Artiste was "Jamyma Hanson" |
March 6th | Stilton In Tune - Keyboard Showtime |
March 11th | Rye Wurlitzer (Academy) (more details) with Jazz Superstar Liane Carroll |
March 13th | East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance |
April 3rd | Horsham Dance (more details) 8pm at The Roffey Club, Spooners Road, RH12 4DY, 01403 210 356 |
April 3rd | East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance |
April 9th | St Albans Organ Theatre |
April 10th | North East Theatre Organ Association |
April 12th | Hailsham MelodyTimes Concerts (more details) with top drummer Gareth Thompson |
April 13th | Horsham MelodyTimes Concerts (more details) with top drummer Gareth Thompson |
April 20th | Fareham (more details) Michael plays afternoon and Evening concerts at the TopNote Events 3-Day Organ Festival, 01757 708 509 |
April 24th | Peterborough, Spirit of the Blitz Show (more details) 2.30pm at The Key Theatre, Nostalgic Musical Variety Show featuring Andy Eastwood, Maggie O'Hara and Pete Lindup, 01733 207 239 |
April 26th | Norwich Keyboard and Electronic Organ Club |
May 1st | Horsham Dance (more details) 8pm at The Roffey Club, Spooners Road, RH12 4DY, 01403 210 356 |
May 7th | Netherlands Organ Federation |
May 8th | Netherlands Organ Federation |
May 15th | Blackpool Organ Festival (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
May 16th | Blackpool Organ Festival (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
May 17th | Blackpool Organ Festival (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
May 18th | Blackpool Organ Festival (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
May 21st | Clacton Spirit of the Blitz Show (more details) 2.30pm, Westcliff Theatre, 01255 433 344, Nostalgic Musical Variety Show featuring Andy Eastwood, Maggie O'Hara and Pete Lindup |
May 22nd | Hunstanton - Those Were The Days Variety Show (more details) 2.30pm, Princess Theatre, 01485 532 252, Nostalgic Musical Variety Show featuring Andy Eastwood, Maggie OHara and Pete Lindup |
May 23rd | Aldershot Princes Theatre - Spirit of the Blitz Show (more details) 2.30pm, Nostalgic Musical Variety Show featuring Andy Eastwood, Maggie O'Hara and Pete Lindup, 01252 329 155 |
May 26th | Gainsborough Organ and Keyboard Club |
May 29th | East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) with John Mann |
June 4th | Bognor Regis - Jubilee Afternoon Tea Concert (more details) 2pm, Tony Poland 01243 823 964 - Held in the Methodist Church but all welcome |
June 11th | Astoria Centre |
June 12th | Lincoln - Spirit of the Blitz Show (more details) 3pm, New Theatre Royal, 01522 519 999, Nostalgic Musical Variety Show featuring Andy Eastwood, Maggie OHara and Pete Lindup |
June 16th | Bournemouth Pavilion |
June 19th | East Sussex National Wurlitzer |
June 23rd | Kingswinford and District Organ Society (more details) Duet Concert with David Ingley, Film and Movie Music Special |
July 3rd | East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance |
July 8th | Rye Wurlitzer (Academy) (more details) Variety night with multi-instrumentalist Andy Eastwood |
July 10th | Colchester Keyboard Concerts (more details) 2.30pm start |
July 13th | Littlehampton Show MD (more details) 7.30pm, Michael plays for the Stage Door Theatre Company Amateur Show at the Windmill Theatre, 07367 182 621 |
July 14th | Littlehampton Show MD (more details) 7.30pm, Michael plays for the Stage Door Theatre Company Amateur Show at the Windmill Theatre, 07367 182 621 |
July 15th | Littlehampton Show MD (more details) 7.30pm, Michael plays for the Stage Door Theatre Company Amateur Show at the Windmill Theatre, 07367 182 621 |
July 16th | Littlehampton Show MD (more details) 7.30pm, Michael plays for the Stage Door Theatre Company Amateur Show at the Windmill Theatre, 07367 182 621 |
July 17th | East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance |
July 22nd | St Edmundsbury In Tune |
July 29th | Sheppey Organ Club |
July 31st | Gosport and District Organ Club |
August 7th | Horsham Dance (more details) 8pm at The Roffey Club, Spooners Road, RH12 4DY, 01403 210 356 |
August 7th | East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance |
August 18th | Bournemouth Electronic Organ Society |
August 21st | East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance |
August 25th | Stockport Organ & Keyboard Club |
August 26th | Cinema Organ Society - Northern District (more details) Opening concert of the Northern Convention |
September 9th | Rye Wurlitzer (Academy) (more details) Proms night with the Rye Bay Crew |
September 13th | Hailsham MelodyTimes Concerts (more details) Proms Night with Special Guests |
September 15th | Bournemouth Pavilion |
October 6th | Bournemouth Pavilion (more details) Playing piano as guest with Jamyma Hanson |
October 16th | Scottish Cinema Organ Trust (COS) |
October 19th | Bournemouth Pavilion (more details) 2pm Tea Dance in the Ballroom - Electronic Organ |
October 22nd | Titchfield Come Dancing (more details) 7pm - 10pm at Titchfield Community Accosiation, Mill Street, PO14 4AB. 01329 234 562 |
October 23rd | Horsham Dance (more details) 8pm at The Roffey Club, Spooners Road, RH12 4DY, 01403 210 356 |
October 23rd | East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance |
November 6th | Singing Hills Wurlitzer (more details) with Keith Beckingham |
November 18th | Warwick Music4You Festival (more details) Michael plays Friday evening and Saturday afternoon concerts at the Tinsel and Turkey Festival, 01427 615 265 or 07877 481 424 |
November 19th | Warwick Music4You Festival (more details) Michael plays Friday evening and Saturday afternoon concerts at the Tinsel and Turkey Festival, 01427 615 265 or 07877 481 424 |
November 22nd | Brentwood Organ and Keyboard Club |
November 27th | Horsham Dance (more details) 8pm at The Roffey Club, Spooners Road, RH12 4DY, 01403 210 356 |
November 27th | East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance |
December 9th | Rye Wurlitzer (Academy) (more details) Christmas Concert with special guests |
December 11th | East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) Christmas Concert with Musical Special Guests |
December 13th | Hailsham MelodyTimes Concerts (more details) Christmas Concert with Richard Moore and Young Stars from the Rye Wurlitzer Academy not the Wurlitzer |
December 14th | Bournemouth Pavilion (more details) 2pm Tea Dance in the Ballroom - Electronic Organ |
December 19th | Bournemouth Pavilion (more details) 2.30pm Christmas Cracker with the Compton, Piano, Choir, Readings and more! |
Concerts in 2023 | |
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January 9th | Medway Music Club (more details) With special musical treats featuring top drummer Gareth Thompson |
February 5th | Henley & District Theatre Organ Trust |
February 14th | New Forest Organ Society (more details) 2.30pm - 01425 611 438 |
February 19th | Worthing Wurlitzer |
April 4th | Torquay Festival (more details) Byron Jones 07788 442 071 |
April 5th | Torquay Festival (more details) Byron Jones 07788 442 071 |
April 21st | Cheltenham Music Festival (more details) Brett Wales 0115 927 4925 or 07572 422 976 |
April 22nd | Cheltenham Music Festival (more details) Brett Wales 0115 927 4925 or 07572 422 976 |
June 4th | Cinema Organ Society - Midlands and Wales District |
June 5th | Cheadle and District Organ Society |
June 20th | Bideford Keyboard and Organ Club |
June 21st | Plymouth Broadway Organ & Keyboard Club |
July 5th | Association of Organ Enthusiasts (AOE) (more details) Evening Concert, Stourport Manor Hotel plus late night duets with David Ingley |
July 6th | Association of Organ Enthusiasts (AOE) (more details) Informal Morning Concert & Lunchtime Duets with David Ingley, Stourport Manor Hotel |
August 16th | Musical Breaks (more details) Evening Concert, Kensington Hotel, Llandudno, plus late night duets with David Ingley |
August 17th | Musical Breaks (more details) Informal Morning Concert, Kensington Hotel, Llandudno |
December 10th | Cinema Organ Society - Southern District |