John was educated at Corpus Christi, Cambridge where he read History and Music. While there he was vice-president and Musical Director of Footlights.

Theatre: John is best known for his orchestration of the score for Les Miserables. In 1979, he arranged and conducted the orginal concept album in Paris, and orchestrated the Paris version of the show. He went on subsequently to orchestrate and supervise the music for the RSC productions in London, Washington and New York for which he received the New York Drama Desk Award. Other shows he has arranged/supervised include Blondel, Mutiny!, King and Guys and Dolls. His theatre composition credits include Liberty Ranch, new music for The Tempest (Deutsches Schauspeilhaus, Hamburg), The Beaux' Stratagem (Royal National Theatre), and Man is Man (Royal Court).

Film: many original film scores include A Touch of Class (Oscar nominated), Kes, The Ruling Class, The Mirror Crack'd, Night Watch, Lost and Found, Black Beauty, and Hawks. His music direction/arranging credits include Poor Cow and Silver Dream Racer.

Television: scores include Jack the Ripper, Frankenstein, Jekyll and Hyde, Perfect Scoundrels, Marlowe - Private Eye, The Protectors, Witness for the Prosecution and The Secret Garden.

Recording: work includes Les Miserables, (the UK cast album went Platinum). John has worked with a wide range of recording artists including Heatwave, Hot Chocolate, Ella Fitzgerald, David Essex, Donovan, and his own band CCS.

In 1991 John was Executive Music Director of the Royal Variety Performance.

Songwriting: credits include If I Ever Thought You'd Change Your Mind, Sweet Inspiration, and Tap Turns on the Water.

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