Michael Wooldridge

About Michael

As heard playing live to 5 million people on BBC Radio 2's 'Steve Wright in the Afternoon'!

NEW CD OUT NOW - Piano Magic features a whole host of piano favourites, including some arrangements from the show Michael Co-Produced, Liberace Live from Las Vegas!, played on the marvellous Yamaha Clavinova CVP-609 with orchestral backings from Michael's Yamaha EL-700 Digital Orchestral Organ and Gareth Thompson on drums. Order details are on Michael's Website, www.MichaelWooldridge.co.uk

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.

Michael's Concert Diary

Michael's Festival appearances

Michael will also be featured at the following festivals this year.

2017
February 17th	Eastbourne Organ & Keyboard Festival
July 7th	Mill Rythe - Hayling Island
September 25th	Bewdley Musical Break
2018
March 5th	AOE Musical Break

Concerts in 2017
January 11th	Sutton in Ashfield Electronic Organ Society
January 12th	York Electronic Organ & Keyboard Society
January 15th	Music4You Festival Bournemouth (more details) 01530 274 270 or 07877 481 424

February 16th	Weyhill Electronic Organ Society
February 18th	Eastbourne Organ Festival (more details) Cumberland Hotel, Top Note Events, 01609 748 295 or 01757 708 509
February 19th	Eastbourne Organ Festival (more details) Cumberland Hotel, Top Note Events, 01609 748 295 or 01757 708 509
February 21st	Lancing Dance (more details) 2.30pm at the Parish Hall, BN15 8AJ, Ballroom, Latin and Popular Sequence, £5 on the door, 07940 360 189
February 24th	Crawley Keyboard Club
February 25th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) A duet show with Dr. Carol Williams featuring the Wurlitzer and Carlo Curley Organs
February 26th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance
February 26th	Horsham Dance (more details) 8pm at Roffey Sports and Social Club, RH12 4DY, Ballroom and Popular Sequence, 01403 210 356
February 28th	Orpington Keyboard Club

March 5th	Henley & District Theatre Organ Trust (more details) Allen Digital Theatre Organ 3pm at the Town Hall, 01189 724 988
March 8th	Horsham Organ and Keyboard Society (more details) Michael presents a special evening featuring the young stars of the Rye Wurlitzer Academy
March 12th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance
March 15th	Broadway Organ Society
March 18th	Titchfield 50/50 Dance (more details) 01489 589 689
March 21st	Lancing Dance (more details) 2.30pm at the Parish Hall, BN15 8AJ, Ballroom, Latin and Popular Sequence, £5 on the door, 07940 360 189
March 22nd	Bournemouth Pavilion Ballroom Afternoon Tea Dance (more details) 2.30pm, featuring guest vocalist Emily Matthews, 01202 451 870
March 31st	Sheppey Organ Club

April 6th	Bournemouth Pavilion
April 9th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance
April 18th	Cinema Organ Society - Southern District (more details) 7pm at the Troxy, Stepney, E1 0HX
April 23rd	The Worthing Wurlitzer
April 28th	Rye Wurlitzer (Academy) (more details) With the New Foxtrot Serenaders
April 30th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance

May 3rd	Watford Organ & Keyboard Club
May 7th	Cinema Organ Society - Midlands and Wales District
May 8th	Felixstowe Electronic Organ Club
May 17th	Bourne Organ Club
May 20th	Titchfield 50/50 Dance (more details) 01489 589 689
May 21st	Old Windsor Memorial Hall

June 4th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance
June 7th	A Musical Boat Trip (more details) Join Michael and the Students of the Rye Wurlitzer Academy as they play on a special day excursion sailing of the historic MV Balmoral, from Rye Harbour to London's Tower Pier and then return by coach. More information at www.RyeWurlitzerAcademy.co.uk
June 14th	Bournemouth Pavilion Ballroom Afternoon Tea Dance (more details) 2.30pm, featuring guest vocalist Emily Matthews, 01202 451 870

July 2nd	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance
July 6th	Bournemouth Pavilion
July 8th	Selsey (more details) 7pm at the Methodist Church, Popular music with Electronic & Church organ plus grand piano, 01243 605 669
July 9th	Hayling Island - Top Note Festival - with Guests (more details) Michael plays an afternoon solo concert and evening concert with guests trumpeter Richard Baker and drummer Dean Morris at the popular Mill Rhythe Festival, 01609 748 295 or 01757 708 509
July 10th	Worthing Symphony Concert (more details) 7.30pm at The Assembly Hall, BN11 1HQ, Michael joins the Worthing Symphony Orchestra to play the organ part in the famous Saint-Saens Organ Symphony on the Worthing Wurlitzer, in a concert featuring Nicola Benedetti playing Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1, The Big Country by Moross and Alwyn’s The Card, 01903 206 206
July 10th	The Worthing Wurlitzer (more details) 7.30pm, Michael joins the Worthing Symphony Orchestra to play the organ part in the famous Saint-Saens Organ Symphony on the Worthing Wurlitzer, in a concert featuring Nicola Benedetti playing Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1, The Big Country by Moross and Alwyn’s The Card, 01903 206 206
July 22nd	Bognor Regis Afternoon Tea Concert (more details) 2.30pm at Waterloo Square Methodist Church Hall, PO21 1ST, on Michael's electronic organ, 01243 823 964
July 23rd	Horsham Dance (more details) 8pm at Roffey Sports and Social Club, RH12 4DY, Ballroom and Popular Sequence, 01403 210 356
July 23rd	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance
July 25th	Norwich Electronic Organ and Keyboard Club
July 30th	Solihull - Michael hosts the ATOS UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition at Fentham Hall (more details) 2pm. Entry details at www.atos-london.co.uk

August 3rd	Berlin Silent Film Festival (more details) www.babylonberlin.de
August 4th	Berlin Silent Film Festival (more details) www.babylonberlin.de
August 5th	Berlin Silent Film Festival (more details) www.babylonberlin.de
August 6th	Berlin Silent Film Festival (more details) www.babylonberlin.de
August 15th	Bournemouth Electronic Organ Society
August 18th	Switzerland (more details) Michael plays Paramount Virtual Organ in Lachen
August 19th	Switzerland (more details) Michael plays Paramount Virtual Organ in Lachen
August 20th	Switzerland (more details) Michael plays Paramount Virtual Organ in Lachen

September 3rd	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) Dance, 3pm
September 10th	Horsham Dance (more details) 8pm at Roffey Sports and Social Club, RH12 4DY, Ballroom and Popular Sequence, 01403 210 356
September 15th	Rye Wurlitzer (Academy) (more details) A Last Night of the Proms Concert with guests, The Rye Bay Crew
September 16th	Sittingbourne Dance (more details) Paws and Claws Dance Club, 7.30pm at Teynham Village Hall, ME9 9TU, 01795 536 196
September 24th	Rye Wurlitzer
September 25th	St Audries Bay Organ Weeks
September 26th	Musical Breaks (more details) Kidderminster Mercure Hotel Bewdley
September 27th	Bedford Organ and Keyboard Club
September 27th	Musical Breaks (more details) Kidderminster Mercure Hotel Bewdley

October 8th	Singing Hills Wurlitzer (more details) Duet Show with Len Rawle
October 8th	Horsham Dance (more details) 8pm at Roffey Sports and Social Club, RH12 4DY, Ballroom and Popular Sequence, 01403 210 356
October 11th	Hayling Island Dance Festival (more details) Michael plays an afternoon and evening spot for dancing as a part of this residential event, 01442 508 850
October 15th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) Dance, 3pm
October 18th	Bournemouth Pavilion Ballroom Afternoon Tea Dance (more details) 2.30pm, featuring guest vocalist Samara Stanton, 01202 451 870
October 21st	The Worthing Wurlitzer (more details) Michael plays some featured spots and for a singalong in the 11am - 4pm session of Worthing Beer Festival, More information at http://www.worthingbeerfest.co.uk
October 21st	Chelmsford Organ and Keyboard Club (more details) 7.45pm at Great Baddow United Reform Church, CM2 7HH
October 24th	Launceston Electronic Organ Club (more details) New Venue.7.30pm Eagle House Hotel. 3 Castle Street. Launceston. PL15 8BA.
October 25th	Verwood Organ Society
October 29th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) Dance, 3pm

November 1st	Brighton Dome Pavillion (more details) 2.30 01273 709 709
November 12th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) Dance, 3pm
November 12th	Horsham Dance (more details) 8pm at Roffey Sports and Social Club, RH12 4DY, Ballroom and Popular Sequence, 01403 210 356
November 13th	Medway Organ and Keyboard Club
November 19th	Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust - Stockport
November 29th	Littlehampton, Windmill Theatre (more details) 7.30pm, Michael plays for an amateur production of The Wizard of Oz for the Stage Door Theatre Company, 01903 856 801
November 30th	Littlehampton, Windmill Theatre (more details) 7.30pm, Michael plays for an amateur production of The Wizard of Oz for the Stage Door Theatre Company, 01903 856 801

December 1st	Littlehampton, Windmill Theatre (more details) 7.30pm, Michael plays for an amateur production of The Wizard of Oz for the Stage Door Theatre Company, 01903 856 801
December 2nd	Littlehampton, Windmill Theatre (more details) 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Michael plays for an amateur production of The Wizard of Oz for the Stage Door Theatre Company, 01903 856 801
December 3rd	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) Dance, 3pm
December 8th	Rye Wurlitzer (Academy) (more details) with the Brighton Welsh Male Voice Choir
December 10th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) A musical Christmas Variety show with special guests
December 15th	Regis Organ and Keyboard Club (more details) With Special Guests - Note FRIDAY night
December 20th	Bournemouth Pavilion Ballroom Afternoon Tea Dance (more details) 2.30pm, featuring guest vocalist Emily Matthews, 01202 451 870

Concerts in 2018
January 7th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance
January 21st	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance

February 2nd	Rye Wurlitzer (Academy) (more details) with UK Big Band Sounds
February 4th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance
February 18th	The Worthing Wurlitzer

March 4th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance
March 6th	Association of Organ Enthusiasts (AOE)
March 7th	Association of Organ Enthusiasts (AOE) (more details) Informal Morning Concert
March 10th	North East Theatre Organ Association
March 11th	North East Theatre Organ Association
March 18th	Scottish Cinema Organ Trust (COS)
March 23rd	Cookhill Keyboard Club
March 25th	Regis Organ and Keyboard Club (more details) 2.30pm - with the Young Stars from the Rye Wurlitzer Academy

April 14th	Titchfield 50/50 Dance (more details) 01489 589 689
April 15th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance
April 22nd	Musical Museum, Brentford

May 6th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance
May 12th	St Albans Organ Theatre
May 20th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance

June 5th	Withernsea Organ Society
June 6th	Grimsby Keyboard & Electronic Organ Club
June 19th	Bolton In Tune (BADEOS)
June 20th	Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust - Heritage Centre
June 24th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) 3pm Dance

September 9th	East Sussex National Wurlitzer (more details) with Dr. Carol Williams FRCO
September 15th	Beer Wurlitzer
September 25th	St Audries Bay Organ Weeks (more details) Evening Concert
September 26th	St Audries Bay Organ Weeks (more details) Morning Concert

October 2nd	Bexley Music Club
October 10th	Clacton Keyboard Music Club (Formerly Clacton & District Organ Society)
October 20th	Titchfield 50/50 Dance (more details) 01489 589 689

November 28th	Littlehampton, Windmill Theatre (more details) 7.30pm, Michael plays for an amateur musical produced by the Stage Door Theatre Company, 01903 856 801
November 29th	Littlehampton, Windmill Theatre (more details) 7.30pm, Michael plays for an amateur musical produced by the Stage Door Theatre Company, 01903 856 801
November 30th	Littlehampton, Windmill Theatre (more details) 7.30pm, Michael plays for an amateur musical produced by the Stage Door Theatre Company, 01903 856 801

December 1st	Littlehampton, Windmill Theatre (more details) 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Michael plays for an amateur musical produced by the Stage Door Theatre Company, 01903 856 801
December 7th	Colchester Organ Society
December 12th	Hailsham Organ Club
December 13th	Sussex Keyboard and Organ Club
December 13th	Sussex Keyboard and Organ Club

OrganFax Directory

Michael Wooldridge

About Michael

Michael's Photo Gallery

Michael's Concert Diary

Michael's Festival appearances

2017

2018