World-class private events
2 minute read
Away from the club scene, there’s always been the “other side” of my work in music programming. I’ve curated the audio experience at numerous lavish private events abroad and in some of London’s most exclusive venues. Crafting journeys into sound - influenced by classical, ambient, film scores, contemporary and Mediterranean music. A space I really love for the freedom to push my musical knowledge and to be creatively bold.
Often, my creative vision has helped steer brand identities: Tailoring customers’ first impressions and experiences. Carefully programmed soundscapes that have set the tone for many product and business launches, restaurant openings and fashion events.
Amongst these, I designed the soundtracks that played in the London restaurant of Antony Worrall Thompson. Antony commented that I’d delivered “confident choices, engaging and captivating music with some truly exquisite gems” which he went on to say “contributed well to our customers’ experience of my restaurant”. I also provided musical direction for the Soho House group for two years, amongst other notable clients.
I’ve often been called on to entertain personalities from the international film, TV and music industries. One memorable event was for the pioneering singer, multi-instrumentalist and Grammy Award-winner, Imogen Heap. We met back around the time she was working on her Ellipse album. Imogen subsequently invited me to provide the musical soundtrack at a special record launch event for invited international guests that took place in her home. (last photo in the set above)
Whatever the size of the event, it’s an exhilarating live art form that calls on musical expertise, theory and technical agility. I love it. Curating the shared experience and having the confidence to change direction on the journey. I’ve created soundtracks for private dinner parties for as few as ten guests – right up to peak-time main room sets for over a thousand people at superclubs like Pacha London or Amnesia Ibiza.
John Charles Media played an integral role in the development of the Nobu Global Private Dining brand. Alongside a suite of other creative services, I was the resident DJ providing musical direction for events at Nobu London on Old Park Lane from 2006 until 2015. We progressed this to include regular private events hosted by Nobu London at The Penthouse of The May Fair Hotel on Stratton Street.
Ex-Private Dining manager at Nobu London, Amir Jati, explains: “Nobu Private Dining started in London and has grown to become a key asset in the company’s ongoing worldwide success. John's been on board with me from day one and has been absolutely central to this accomplishment. Business partners Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro have both approved John’s work to represent the brand globally. John has drawn on his musical talents to design the exquisite soundtracks for the many prestigious events we’ve hosted, attended by Royalty, dignitaries and celebrities”.
Nobu was in the epicentre of London’s celebrity scene at the time and I was always meeting a lot of interesting people. One evening, my phone randomly rang about 11.30pm and it was my client, Amir at Nobu. He asked if I could quickly identify a song from one of the playlists I’d created for Park Lane. “Sorry for calling so late” he said… “Cheryl (Cole) was just asking me what that track is. John, she loves your music”. Shortly after, in 2011, I produced the official launch film for Cheryl’s jewellery collaboration with De Grisogono Geneva. It was a time of spontaneity and creativity.
My work in video production and editing has almost always involved working with music. The marriage of sound and image has a power to move people like nothing else. It calls for confident decisions and editorial timing. I’ve rearranged classical and contemporary recordings for use online. I’ve had directorial collaborations with composers, foley artists and audio engineers on both sides of the Atlantic. I also have a working understanding of the licensing process with major labels.
Music’s always been a huge part of my life. Alongside the popular music of the time, early years were spent discovering Big Band, Jazz, Classical and Standards from the Great American Songbook. I studied Cello and Piano, later specialising in electronic keyboard instruments with the Yamaha Music School. At sixteen, I represented Scotland in the National Yamaha Electone Festival. I also started getting into stage productions and was part of two musical theatre companies during Uni-years. I performed several seasons on stage at The Fringe, notably with Edinburgh Youth Music Theatre. After graduation, my first proper job was directing and marketing events in the University sector. I had the chance to put my creative stamp on events up to 4000-capacity as well as meeting and working with scores of big names from the ever-changing worlds of dance, pop, rock and indie music. It’s a hugely varied background that’s provided a wealth of unique experience I love to share through my work.