JOHN ALTMAN - EPPING FOREST ESSEX - 27TH OCTOBER 2025 - EPISODE TWO

EPISODE TWO

John Altman, born on December 5, 1949, in England, was immersed in music from a young age. His uncles, renowned bandleaders Woolf and Sid Phillips, introduced him to the sounds of the 1930s and 1940s. Woolf conducted for legends like Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra at the London Palladium, while Sid led Britain's premier Dixieland band and collaborated with Louis Armstrong. This family legacy profoundly shaped Altman's career. His only formal training was childhood piano lessons, but his self-taught saxophone skills propelled him forward.

Musical Beginnings and Jazz Roots
Altman honed his craft in the vibrant London scene of the 1960s and 1970s. As a student at the University of Sussex, he gigged with emerging talents like Peter Green (of Fleetwood Mac), Kevin Ayers, and John Martyn. He later served as musical director for Hot Chocolate's concert tour, interrupting his studies at Birkbeck College. Early on, he played saxophone with icons such as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Eric Clapton, and Van Morrison—for the latter, he also arranged and directed music. Critics, including Don Heckman of the *Los Angeles Times*, have praised Altman as "one of the few film composers with authentic jazz skills."
In jazz circles, he's shared stages with Chet Baker, Plas Johnson, Ernie Watts, Red Holloway, and Percy Heath.

Altman leads his own hand-picked big bands and quartets in London and Los Angeles, performing regularly on both sides of the Atlantic. His 2006 jazz quartet album You Started Something (on his Bronze Jazz label) was named Jazz CD of the Month by *The Observer*, as was a prior release featuring his orchestra with singer Joan Viskant. He hosts music-and-interview nights at London's Pizza Express Jazz Club, jamming with guests like Michael Palin, Lenny Henry, and Goldie.

Film and Television Composing
Altman's composing career took off in the mid-1970s, blending his jazz prowess with orchestral work. He's scored over 100 films and TV projects, earning acclaim for evoking emotion through music. Notable credits include:
Titanic (1997, directed by James Cameron)
GoldenEye (1995, James Bond film)
Shall We Dance? (2004)
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Little Voice (1998)
TV: The Good Samaritan (ITV), Mr. Harvey Lights a Candle (BBC), The Queen's Sister (Channel 4)

In 2015, he scored the restored 1928 silent film *Shooting Stars*, premiered at the London Film Festival. His versatility shines in period pieces and thrillers alike.

Arranging and Collaborations
As an arranger, orchestrator, and conductor, Altman has elevated pop and rock royalty. He's worked with:
Diana Ross, George Michael, Björk, Rod Stewart, Tom Jones, Tina Turner, and Goldie
Eric Clapton and Van Morrison (as musical director)

This side hustle underscores his "musician's musician" reputation, bridging jazz, film, and mainstream genres.

Awards and Honors
Altman's accolades reflect his broad impact:
Multiple BAFTA Awards and an Emmy
Gold Badge of Excellence (2011, British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors)
Lifetime Achievement Award (Monaco Film Festival)
Honorary Doctorate of Music (2012, University of Sussex), where he was the first Creative Arts Fellow

He's also Patron of the National Jazz Archive.

Recent Work and Legacy
In 2022, Altman published his autobiography Hidden Man: My Many Musical Lives (Equinox Publishing), a memoir blending anecdotes from his eclectic career. It garnered strong reviews and festival appearances, like at the Hay Literary Festival. As of 2025, he remains active, gigging with his ensembles and contributing to projects that fuse his jazz heritage with contemporary storytelling. His cousin, drummer Simon Phillips (formerly of Toto), carries forward the family tradition in rock.

Altman's career exemplifies a hidden force in 20th- and 21st-century music—ubiquitous yet understated, with a sound that's as sophisticated as it is soulful.