SMA Spotlight: John Altman
In the second instalment of our SMA Spotlight series, we caught up with the composer, orchestrator and conductor, John Altman, to talk about his illustrious career.
John was the recipient of a Gold Badge of Excellence for services to British music awarded by his peers in The British Academy of Songwriters & Composers in 2011, a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Monaco Film Festival, and an honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Sussex in 2012 where he was the first Creative Arts Fellow in the Department of Humanities. He has worked on feature films including RK0281, Hear My Song, TItanic, Golden Eye, Hope Springs and The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone, and his TV work includes The Good Samaritan, Mr. Harvey Lights A Candle, The Queen’s Sister to name but a few.
Q> Hi John! Could you begin by telling us a little bit about your path into the industry?
John> I grew up in a musical family – with all my mother’s four brothers as bandleaders. One uncle Sid Phillips was Britain’s number one Dixieland clarinettist and the chief arranger for the Ambrose Band before the war. My youngest uncle, Woolf Phillips, conducted the orchestra at the London Palladium during the golden age of variety, acting as musical director for Sinatra, Nat Cole, Judy Garland, Duke Ellington, the Marx Brothers and many many more – all these were visitors to our flat and house.
I started playing piano and composing at the age of seven, took up saxophone at thirteen and by the time I was at university was playing on records and live with some of the great artists of the time (Muddy Waters, Nick Drake, Peter Green etc.) I was lucky to progress into being musical director for Hot Chocolate and Van Morrison and to progress to writing arrangements, composing commercials, scoring movies, conducting and performing live – something I’ve continued to this day.
Q> What moment in your career so far are you most proud of?
John> Too numerous to mention! Winning all the major awards – Emmy, BAFTA, Grammy, being arranger/ historical music advisor on Titanic and creating three sequences in movies that are deemed classics – arranging, conducting and whistling Always Look on The Bright Side of Life, the tank chase in Goldeneye which I composed, and the ship sinking in Titanic with the band playing on deck.
Q> What’s been your biggest musical challenge?
John> Composing, orchestrating and conducting live a 100 minute silent movie for the London Film Festival Restoration Gala.
Q> Who are you listening to at the moment?
John> Everything I can – vintage jazz, classics, modern jazz, funk, 60s pop – you name it.
Q> And finally, what advice do you have for young musicians trying to break into the industry?
John> Persevere and believe in your uniqueness!
