Orchestrator

One of the most versatile composers in Britain today, John is primarily known for his screen and recording work. His film credits include the Oscar-nominated music score for
A Touch of Class (starring Glenda Jackson and George Segal) and the scores for over 40 feature and TV films including the British classic Kes, The Ruling Class, To End All Wars, the mini-series Jack the Ripper and, recently, Little House on the Prairie and Path to 9/11 (starring Harvey Keitel) for ABC/Touchstone.

Theatre includes: orchestrating the 1991 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (London Palladium). He also created the musical score for every version of Les Misérables from the original Robert Hossein production in 1980 through the RSC Broadway, tour and concert versions. He won the New York Drama Desk Award for Les Mis in 1986 and the National Broadway Theatre Award in 2002. The New York cast album won a Grammy. Other shows John has arranged/supervised include Honk! (Olivier Award Best Musical) and Spend, Spend, Spend (Evening Standard Award Best Musical). He has worked with artists as diverse as José Carreras, Ella Fitzgerald, Donovan, Hot Chocolate and Heatwave. ‘If I Thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind’, ‘Sweet Inspiration’ and ‘Tap Turns on the Water’ are just three of his European songwriting hits. John’s concert output includes his Cantata Missa Celtica (written for various Celtic soloists, the Choir of New College Oxford and the English Chamber Orchestra) and major contributions to the New College Choir’s bestselling Agnus Dei albums.

Recent composing for the theatre includes the music for Alfie, the Musical (2005) and Becket (2004 with Dougray Scott), Faust Parts I and II (RSC directed by Michael Bogdanov) and the NT’s touring production of John Caird’s Hamlet with Simon Russell Beale in the title role. John is currently co-composing with The Gypsy Kings the music for Zorro – The Musical.

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