About Nick Breakspear
For over a decade Nick has headed up the Breakspear 'Performance Art Ensemble', incorporating the multi-talented keyboard whiz Matt Wanstall and the inspired guitarist David Woodman.
Together they established a platform for a galaxy of guest musicians.
Breakspear is a global touring company working predominantly in the area of conceptual music, drawing upon the rich heritage of the ancient Judeo/Christian 'Mystery plays'.
These are compositions of original and creative parables, painting heavenly pictures here on earth with a contemporary twist!
Breakspear have produced a wealthy back-catalogue of CDs in addition to joint collaborations with fine musicians and artists from around the world. Never to be pigeon-holed, the Breakspear melange has enjoyed fusing Rock, Jazz, Funk, Blues, Gospel and Hip Hop - in fact any available genre that was musically applicable as transportation for their current lyrics.
The Breakspear band was never just about music, but painting pictures - 3D compositions that involved bespoke sculpture, drama, costume and even food. Especially in the early days; in one of Nick’s typically audacious moments, thousands of candy bananas would literally be launched into an awaiting audience, whilst delivering a most moving rendition of 'Bananas for Jesus', a very playful number. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination?
When asked to describe Breakspear on a radio show, Joe Brennan, an American friend of mine, said “It's like Pizza with everything on."
Musically, Nick's passion has always been the drum, in all its percussive diversity, be it the conventional variety or whittling his home-made sonic off-cuts.
"Whatever the art form, it is always about finding those hidden rhythms, the eternal heart beat that makes us tick. Breakspear proved to be the perfect vehicle to explore and share the bigger questions of life. One of the most challenging questions we explored was that of reconciliation between the Gentile and Jewish communities from a Biblical perspective.”
“With the luxury of hindsight, we've seen constant reminders of a greater design at work. Trusting always in the greater director, Yahweh, we've felt unerringly lead through the development of this - our most important and influential work to date - Valerie’s Orchard."
Nick's Music
Film Production