Background
Westlake was born on 6 September 1958 in Perth, Western Australia, to Donald Westlake (principal clarinet with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra) and violinist Heather Westlake (née Sumner).
He went to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, but left the school early to pursue a professional career in music, studying clarinet with his father.
At age 17, Westlake started freelancing with various orchestras As a clarinettist, he worked doing recording sessions, chamber music concerts, theatre & ballet performances and tours.
In 1979, Westlake formed a 7 piece instrumental fusion band to play all original material.
In June 2008 his son Eli was struck by a car and killed. His tribute, "Missa Solis - Requiem for Eli", was premiered by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 2011.
Read more about this topic: Nigel Westlake
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