Michael Wooldridge

About Michael

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.

Michael's Photo Gallery

Michael's Concert Diary