John Du Prez (born Trevor Jones; 14 December 1946) is a British musician, conductor and composer. He was a member of the 1980s salsa-driven pop band Modern Romance and has since written several

film score A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film. The score comprises a number of orchestral, instrumental, or choral pieces called cues, which are timed to begin and end at specific points during the film in order to ...

s including '' Oxford Blues'' (1984), '' Once Bitten'', ''

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (''TMNT'') is an American media franchise created by comic book artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It follows Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Leonardo, Donatello (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), D ...

'' (1990), and the final Carry On film, '' Carry On Columbus'' (1992). He contributed to '' The Wild'' (2006)

soundtrack A soundtrack is a recorded audio signal accompanying and synchronised to the images of a book, drama, motion picture, radio program, television show, television program, or video game; colloquially, a commercially released soundtrack album of m ...

.Du Prez, John, Internet Movie Database Filmography, ccessed24 April 2011. He is also known for his extensive collaborations with

Monty Python Monty Python, also known as the Pythons, were a British comedy troupe formed in 1969 consisting of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. The group came to prominence for the sketch comedy ser ...

, having worked on several films and shows by members of the troupe, including composing, conducting, and arranging for '' Monty Python’s Life of Brian'' (1979), ''

Time Bandits ''Time Bandits'' is a 1981 British fantasy adventure film co-written, produced, and directed by Terry Gilliam. It stars David Rappaport, Sean Connery, John Cleese, Shelley Duvall, Ralph Richardson, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, Michael ...

(1981)'', '' Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl'' (both 1982), '' Monty Python's The Meaning of Life'' (1983), '' A Private Function'' (1984), '' A Fish Called Wanda'' (1988), '' The Wind in the Willows'' (1996), ''

Spamalot ''Spamalot'' (also known as ''Monty Python's Spamalot: A Musical (Lovingly) Ripped Off from the Motion Picture ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail) is a musical theatre, stage musical with score by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, with lyrics and book ...

'' (2004), '' Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)'' (2010), and '' Monty Python Live (Mostly)'' (2014). For his work on ''Spamalot'', which ran 1,575 performances on Broadway, he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Original Score.

Early life and education

Du Prez was born in

Sheffield Sheffield is a city in South Yorkshire, England, situated south of Leeds and east of Manchester. The city is the administrative centre of the City of Sheffield. It is historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire and some of its so ...

, England. He received his MA (Oxon), B.Mus., ARCM, and was a Trevelyan Scholar at Christ Church,

Oxford Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town. The city is home to the University of Oxford, the List of oldest universities in continuou ...

. In 1976 he joined the staff of the

University of London The University of London (UoL; abbreviated as Lond or more rarely Londin in Post-nominal letters, post-nominals) is a collegiate university, federal Public university, public research university located in London, England, United Kingdom. The ...

's music department before becoming a full-time

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and def ...

. He would then begin a 30-year working relationship with Eric Idle.

Career

Du Prez has often worked with Eric Idle for the music for

, most notably the score for '' Monty Python's The Meaning of Life'' as well as with

John Cleese John Marwood Cleese ( ; born 27 October 1939) is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, and Television presenter, presenter. Emerging from the Footlights, Cambridge Footlights in the 1960s, he first achieved success at the Edinbur ...

on '' A Fish Called Wanda''. He acted as music arranger on the

Terry Jones Terence Graham Parry Jones (1 February 1942 – 21 January 2020) was a Welsh actor, comedian, director, historian, writer and member of the Monty Python comedy troupe. After graduating from Oxford University with a degree in English, Jones a ...

film '' Monty Python's Life of Brian'' (1979) and on the

Terry Gilliam Terrence Vance Gilliam ( ; born 22 November 1940) is an American-British filmmaker, comedian, collage film, collage animator, and actor. He gained stardom as a member of the Monty Python comedy troupe alongside John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Pa ...

film ''

'' (1981), and he also co-wrote the music for the stage musical ''

'', as well as the music and the intro theme of the British series '' Captain Star''. In 1986, Du Prez contributed songs to the

of the

Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone ( ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Referred to as the "Queen of Pop", she has been recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, ...

and

Sean Penn Sean Justin Penn (born August 17, 1960) is an American actor and film director. He is known for his intense leading man roles in film. List of awards and nominations received by Sean Penn, His accolades include two Academy Awards, a Golden Gl ...

movie '' Shanghai Surprise'': "The Hottest Gong in Town" and "Zig-Zag" (both sung by the film's executive producer

George Harrison George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Culture ...

). The adoption of the name John Du Prez was to avoid confusion with the South African film composer Trevor Jones. He is probably best known as the

trumpet The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz musical ensemble, ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest Register (music), register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitche ...

and horn player in the 1980s Pop group Modern Romance, who had a string of Top 40 hits from 1981 to 1983, and made many guest appearances on TV shows such as the

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

programme ''

Top of the Pops ''Top of the Pops'' (''TOTP'') is a British record chart television programme, made by the BBC and broadcast weekly between 1January 1964 and 30 July 2006. The programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show. For most of its histo ...

''. John Du Prez has also scored various films including the Rob Lowe vehicle '' Oxford Blues'' (1984), the

Comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

'' A Private Function'' (1984), the Jim Carrey horror comedy '' Once Bitten'' (1985), and the ''

'' movies; his piece of music – or Suite – ''Shredder's Suite'' is taken from the

to the first of the three films, ''

'' (1990). He recently contributed to the

of the animated film '' The Wild'' (2006).

Modern Romance (1981–83)

Du Prez joined Modern Romance during the early 1980s and remained with them throughout their most successful years. He appeared on their debut album ''Adventures in Clubland'' (1981) and on two further albums: ''Trick of the Light'' (1983) and ''Party Tonight'' (1983). He is probably best remembered as playing the trumpet solo on the Modern Romance cover version of " Cherry Pink (and Apple Blossom White)" which made the UK top twenty in 1982. The B-side to "Cherry Pink ..." was dedicated to Du Prez, a (nearly) instrumental track titled "Who Is John Du Prez?". Modern Romance scored seven further Top Forty hits before disbanding in 1985, including " Best Years of Our Lives" which reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and later featured in the movie ''

Shrek ''Shrek'' is a 2001 American animated fantasy comedy film directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, and written by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S. H. Schulman, loosely based on the 1990 children's picture boo ...

''. The other members of Modern Romance included Geoff Deane (lead vocalist), Paul Gendler (guitarist), David Jaymes (bass player, vocals), Robbie Jaymes (keyboard player), Andy Kriacou (drummer), and Michael J. Mullins (lead vocalist). Modern Romance toured extensively throughout the early 1980s – including the UK, Europe, the Far East, and Venezuela – and were awarded several Gold Discs for their efforts. Their album, ''Adventures in Clubland'', hit the number one spot – and went Gold – in

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a considerably smaller portion in the Northern Hemisphere. It can also be described as the southern Subregion#Americas, subregion o ...

, and produced three UK hits ("Everybody Salsa" number 12, "Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey" number 10, and "Queen of the Rapping Scene (Nothing Ever Goes the Way You Plan') number 37. The single "Can You Move" also peaked at number two on the US Dance chart. Following a change in lead vocalist – from Geoff Deane to Michael J. Mullins – Modern Romance enjoyed what would be their watershed year, 1983. They made a significant dent in the UK chart with the following singles: "Best Years of Our Lives", "High Life", "Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm", "Walking in the Rain", and "Good Friday". Two albums – a studio album and a Christmas compilation – also made the

UK Albums Chart The Official Albums Chart is the United Kingdom's industry-recognised national record chart for album, albums. Entries are ranked by sales and audio streaming. It was published for the first time on 22 July 1956 and is compiled every week by the O ...

that year: '' Trick of the Light'' and ''Party Tonight''. Du Prez's trumpets and horns featured on nearly every track, from the party songs "Best Years of Our Lives" and "High Life" to the salsa tunes "Everybody Salsa" and "Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey" to the band's bluesy and soulful ballads such as "Walking in the Rain". He also played on the band's cover version of " Band of Gold" (1983). Du Prez left Modern Romance before they called it quits in 1985, but his trumpets sounds could be heard on their farewell single, "Best Mix of Our Lives" (1985), their last chart entry.Lee-Williams, Matt: Jaymes, David, Internet Movie Database Biography, ccessed25 April 2011. Du Prez can be found – with the other band members – on the cover of the '' Trick of the Light'', which was featured in the

Taschen Taschen is a luxury art book publisher founded in 1980 by Benedikt Taschen in Cologne, Germany. As of January 2017, Taschen is co-managed by Benedikt Taschen and his eldest daughter, Marlene Taschen. History The company began as Tasch ...

Book ''1000 Record Covers''. The book presents a selection of the best vinyl cover art from the 1960s to the 1990s, and from a cross section of music genres. From a recording and production standpoint, the bulk of Modern Romance's music was produced by Tony Visconti; they were signed by the

record label "Big Three" music labels A record label or record company is a brand or trademark of Sound recording and reproduction, music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a Music publisher, ...

s WEA and Ronco. Du Prez and Modern Romance performed their hit single, "High Life", on the '' Russell Harty Television Show'' in 1983, with Cleo Rocos as backing vocalist. In 2006, Du Prez featured on the Warner CD ''Modern Romance: The Platinum Collection'', a compilation featuring the best of Modern Romance.

Selected filmography (composer)

''Monty Python's The Meaning of Life'' (1983)

A long-time friend of Eric Idle, Du Prez composed the score for '' Monty Python's The Meaning of Life'' in 1983, while still a member of Modern Romance. The film stars

Graham Chapman Graham Chapman (8 January 1941 – 4 October 1989) was a British actor, comedian and writer. He was one of the six members of the Surreal humour, surrealist comedy group Monty Python. He portrayed authority figures such as The Colonel (Monty Py ...

, Idle, and

Michael Palin Sir Michael Edward Palin (; born 5 May 1943) is an English actor, comedian, writer, and television presenter. He was a member of the Monty Python comedy group. He received the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award, BAFTA Fellowship in 2013 and was knig ...

. It is directed by – and also features –

. Du Prez also contributed as

''Oxford Blues'' (1984)

Du Prez composed the score for this 1980s remake of A Yank at Oxford (1938). Oxford Blues (1984) was an early project for Rob Lowe, a teen drama which also featured

Cary Elwes Ivan Simon Cary Elwes (; born 26 October 1962) is an English actor. He starred as Westley in ''The Princess Bride (film), The Princess Bride'' (1987), and also had lead roles in films such as ''Robin Hood: Men in Tights'' (1993) and the Saw (fr ...

, Michael Gough, Chad Lowe, Amanda Pays, Julian Sands and Ally Sheedy.

''A Private Function'' (1984)

'' A Private Function'' (1984) marks another team-up with

. This

comedy Comedy is a genre of dramatic works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. Origins Comedy originated in ancient Greec ...

– the score composed by Du Prez – also stars Alan Bennett, Denholm Elliott, Pete Postlethwaite and

Maggie Smith Dame Margaret Natalie Smith (28 December 1934 – 27 September 2024) was a British actress. Known for her wit in both comedic and dramatic roles, she had List of Maggie Smith performances, an extensive career on stage and screen for over seve ...

. Du Prez also contributes as conductor.Du Prez, John, Composer, Internet Movie Database, Filmography, ccessed25 April 2011.

''Once Bitten'' (1985)

The film was an early vehicle for Jim Carrey, Karen Kopins and

Lauren Hutton Lauren Hutton (born Mary Laurence Hutton; November 17, 1943) is an American model and actress. Born and raised in the southern United States, Hutton relocated to New York City in her early adulthood to begin a modeling career. Though she was ini ...

. '' Once Bitten'' (1985) is a mixture of the

horror film Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit physical or psychological fear in its viewers. Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with Transgressive art, transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements of the genre include Mo ...

and the

. It also features Cleavon Little. Du Prez is score composer.

''A Fish Called Wanda'' (1988)

Featuring some of the

cast, '' A Fish Called Wanda'' (1988) included

Jamie Lee Curtis Jamie Lee Curtis (born November 22, 1958) is an American actress, producer, and children's author. Known for List of Jamie Lee Curtis performances, her performances in the horror and slasher film, slasher genres, she is regarded as a scream qu ...

, Kevin Kline and

. This is a British

for which Du Prez wrote the score.Du Prez, John, Filmography, Internet Movie Database, Filmography, ccessed25 April 2011.

''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' 1 – 3 (1990–93)

'' (1990) is an action,

adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme spo ...

and

– based on the ''

'' comic book. Du Prez composed the score for the movie, whilst

Corey Feldman Corey Scott Feldman (born July 16, 1971) is an American actor and musician. As a youth, he became well known for his roles in popular 1980s films such as '' Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter'' (1984), '' Gremlins'' (1984), '' The Goonies'' (198 ...

, Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, David Warner and other

actors An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. ...

provided the voices or played live-action roles. Du Prez also provided the score for the

sequel A sequel is a work of literature, film, theatre, television, music, or video game that continues the story of, or expands upon, some earlier work. In the common context of a narrative work of fiction, a sequel portrays events set in the same ...

s, '' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze'' and ''

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III'' (subtitled ''Turtles in Time'' in some home media releases) is a 1993 superhero film based on the ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' characters created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Written and directed ...

'', and his song – ''That's Your Consciousness'' – can be found on the second film's

''Carry On Columbus'' (1992)

'' Carry On Columbus'' (1992) is a landmark in film, in that it is the final chapter in the Carry On films. Du Prez composed the score for this

which stars Julian Clary, Bernard Cribbins, Jim Dale, Maureen Lipman, Rik Mayall, Leslie Phillips, Nigel Planer,

Alexei Sayle Alexei David Sayle (born 7 August 1952) is an English actor, author, stand-up comedian, television presenter and former recording artist. He was a leading figure in the British alternative comedy movement in the 1980s. He was voted the 18th g ...

, and June Whitfield.

''Fascination'' (2004)

'' Fascination'' (2004) is an American mystery thriller starring

Jacqueline Bisset Winifred Jacqueline Fraser Bisset ( ; born 13 September 1944) is a British actress. She began her film career in 1965 and first came to prominence in 1968 with roles in ''The Detective (1968 film), The Detective'', ''Bullitt'', and ''The Sweet ...

Adam Garcia Adam Garcia is an Australian actor who is best known for lead roles in musicals such as '' Saturday Night Fever'' and '' Kiss Me, Kate''. He is also a trained tap dancer and singer. Garcia has been nominated twice at the Laurence Olivier Award ...

, and James Naughton. Du Prez composed the score for the film and would work once more with Modern Romance member, David Jaymes, who acted as music supervisor, having since ventured into the management side of the business.

Discography

Albums (with Modern Romance)

*'' Adventures in Clubland (album)'' (1982) Venezuela #1 old*'' Trick of the Light'' (1983) UK #53 *'' Party Tonight'' (1983) UK #45 *''Juanita'' aka ''Party Tonight'' (1983) Japan

Singles (with Modern Romance)

*"Everybody Salsa" (1981) UK #10 *"Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey" (1981) UK #12 *"Queen of the Rapping Scene (Nothing Ever Goes the Way You Plan)" (1982) UK #37 *"Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" (1982) UK #15 *"Best Years of Our Lives" (1983) UK #4 *"High Life" (1983) UK #8 *"Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm" (1983) UK #14 *"Walking in the Rain" (1983) UK #7 & Thailand #1 *"Good Friday" (1983) UK #96 *"Best Mix of Our Lives" (1985) UK #81

Singles (as solo artist)

*"Oh My Papa" (1983)

Composer (scores)

* '' Nursery Rhymes'' (1982) * '' The Pantomime Dame'' ocumentary(1982) * '' The Meaning of Life'' (1983) * '' The Crimson Permanent Assurance'' hort(1983) * '' Bullshot'' (1983) * '' Oxford Blues'' (1984) * '' A Private Function'' (1984) * '' She'll Be Wearing Pink Pyjamas'' (1985) * '' Once Bitten'' (1985) * '' Love with the Perfect Stranger'' V Movie(1986) * '' Personal Services'' (1987) * '' Sunday Premiere'' TV Series, episode "Claws" (1987) * '' Number 27'' (1988) * '' A Fish Called Wanda'' (1988) * '' A Chorus of Disapproval'' (1989) * '' UHF'' (1989) * ''

'' (1990) * '' Screen Two'' TV Series episodes(1988-1990) * '' Bullseye!'' (1990) * '' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze'' (1991) * '' Mystery Date'' (1991) * '' Thatcher: The Final Days'' (1991) * '' Thacker'' (1992) * '' Carry On Columbus'' (1992) * ''

'' (1993) * '' A Good Man in Africa'' (1994) * '' The Wind in the Willows'' (1996) * '' Captain Star'' TV Series episodes(1997) * '' Dog and Duck'' (2000) * '' Fascination'' (2004) * '' The Large Family'' TV Series (2006) * '' Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)'' (2010) * '' Clangers'' (2015–present)

Writer (soundtracks)

*''Monty Python: Almost the Truth – The Lawyers Cut'' TV Series – ''Fuck Christmas'' & ''The Galaxy Song'' (2009) *''BCN aixeca el telo'' TV Series – ''The Song That Goes Like This'' (2008) *'' The Wild'' – ''Really Nice Day'' & ''Really Nice Day Finale'' (2006) *'' Splitting Heirs'' – ''Somebody Stole My Baby'' (1993) *'' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze'' – ''That's Your Consciousness'' (1991) *'' Shanghai Surprise'' – ''Hottest Gong in Town'' & ''Zig-Zag'' (1986) *''The Crimson Permanent Assurance'' – Short Film – ''Accountancy Shanty'' (1983) *'' Monty Python's The Meaning of Life'' – ''The Meaning of Life'', ''Oh Lord Please Don't Burn Us'', ''Galaxy Song'' & ''Accountancy Shanty'' (1983) *''

'' – ''Me and My Shadow'' (arrangement) (1981) *'' Monty Python's Life of Brian'' – ''Brian Song'' (1979)

Conductor

*'' Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl'' (1982) *'' A Private Function'' (1984) *'' A Fish Called Wanda'' (1988) *'' A Good Man in Africa'' (1994) *'' Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)'' (2010) *'' Monty Python Live (Mostly)'' (2014)

Music producer

*'' A Good Man in Africa'' (1994) *'' Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)'' (2010)

Music arranger

*'' One Foot in the Grave'' TV Series 1 episodes+ Signature Tune (1990–2000) *'' Captain Star'' TV Series episodes(1997)

Actor

*'' Bullshot'' (1983) as Ginger Johnson *'' One Foot in the Grave'' TV Series, episode ''The Beast in the Cage'' (1992) as The voice of (voice)

Screenwriter

*'' Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)'' with Eric Idle (2010)

Self

*'' Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)'' (as the conductor) (2010) *''Monty Python: Almost the Truth – The Lawyers Cut'' episodesTV Series (2009) *'' The South Bank Show'' TV series documentary episode(2006) *''The 59th Annual

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ce ...

s'' TV Special (2005) *'' Rod and Emu's Saturday Special'' episodewith Modern Romance (1983) *''Good Friday'' with Modern Romance

Music Video A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...

(1983) *''Walking in the Rain'' with Modern Romance

(1983) *''Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm'' with Modern Romance

(1983) *''High Life'' with Modern Romance

(1983) *''The Russell Harty Television Show'' with Modern Romance nknown episodes(1983) *'' The Krankies Club'' TV Series episodeswith Modern Romance (1982–83) *''

'' with Modern Romance nknown episodes(1982–83) *''Best Years of Our Lives'' with Modern Romance

(1982) *''Get It Together'' TV Series pisodes unknown(1982) *''The Keith Harris (ventriloquist) Show'' TV Series episodewith Modern Romance (1982)

Awards and accolades

*48th

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious ...

s – Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album – Winner with Eric Idle – Monty Python's Spamalot (2005). *59th

's – Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (John Du Prez and Eric Idle (Music); Eric Idle (Lyrics)) Nominee – Monty Python's Spamalot (2005).Tony Awards Official Website, ccessed26 April 2011.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Du Prez, John 1946 births Living people Associates of the Royal College of Music English composers English film score composers English television composers Grammy Award winners Monty Python Musicians from Sheffield