Mike Osborne

Who was Mike Osborne?

Michael Evans Osborne was an English jazz alto saxophonist, pianist and clarinetist, perhaps most noteworthy for his contributions as a member to the Chris McGregor band Brotherhood of Breath in the 1960s and 1970s.

He was born in Hereford and attended Wycliffe College in Gloucestershire and the Guildhall School of Music.

From 1962-1972, Osborne belonged to the Mike Westbrook band. During this period the artist also did other work with musicians such as Michael Gibbs, Mike Cooper, Stan Tracey, Kenny Wheeler, Humphrey Lyttelton, Alan Skidmore and John Surman.

During 1974-75 Osborne was part of the saxophone trio S.O.S. with John Surman and Alan Skidmore. They recorded an LP plus BBC radio and television sessions and toured extensively in much of Europe.

Illness prevented him working from 1982. He died of lung cancer on 19 September 2007.