C A MANAGEMENT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Freelance Drummer and Programmer
As a freelance drummer and programmer based in London, Jonathan has toured with many artists, including: Paul Young, Alexander O'Neal, Midge Ure, Gloria Gaynor, Belinda Carlisle, The Supremes, Nik Kershaw, The Pointer Sisters, Kim Wilde, The Three Degrees, Errol Brown, Tavares, Go West, ABC, Five Star, Nick Heyward, Curiosity Killed The Cat, China Crisis, The Emotions, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, The Real Thing, Shalamar, Boney M Evelyn ‘Champagne' King, Toyah, Limahl, Bucks Fizz, and Sony artist The Alice Band for whom he was musical director.
His recording credits include several projects for Beatles' producer Sir George Martin (including tracks for Celine Dion, and Phil Collins). He has also recorded tracks for Grammy nominated producer Chris Sheldon, Universal artist Hayley Westenra (fastest selling UK debut artist), Sir Willard White (top 20 classical album), Kim Ritchie (twice US #1 singer songwriter), The Alice Band (top 5 UK radio hit), Music for the Millennium Dome, Music for Millennium Remembrance Day, cult rock band Velvet Jones, and Keith Harris and Orville. Jonathan has also played on many soundtrack recordings, including ads for McDonalds, Marks and Spencer, and Argos, and the movie Lucky Star.
Jonathan was commissioned to composed and produce the new title music and underscore for the Channel 5 TV series Roobarb and Custard Too, and is currently working on a further children's animation for ITV called Fluffy Gardens.
Classically-trained and recognised as one of music's most versatile and imaginative talents, George entered the music industry in 1950 after studying at the Guildhall School of Music and playing the oboe professionally in London. He began recording classical music specialising in the Baroque period. His later experience with jazz and pop led to his appointment as Head of the Parlophone label at EMI Group in 1955. It was there in 1962 that George signed The Beatles and so began an astonishing partnership with the band that revolutionised studio recording forever.
As a producer he was responsible for bringing a host of artists into EMI's recording studios at Abbey Road. Prior to signing The Beatles, George had chart success, particularly in the humorous field, with brilliant performers such as Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Flanders and Swann and the ‘Beyond the Fringe' team - Jonathan Miller, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Alan Bennett. He also worked with jazz artists Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Humphrey Lyttelton and the legendary Stan Getz.
His unprecedented run of hits in the '60's with The Beatles helped shape popular culture. Further chart success came with other artists of that era - Gerry & the Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer, The Dakotas, Shirley Bassey, Matt Monro, Millicent Martin and Cilla Black. In 1963 alone his productions spent a staggering 32 weeks at No.1 and he remains the world's most successful record producer to date with a career 30 number one's in the US and UK Singles Chart.
In 1965 George formed a production company separate from EMI with three other producers - Associated Independent Recordings (AIR). Although autonomous, he continued to produce The Beatles for EMI - an innovative deal in its day and a precursor to the modern-day producer/record label relationship. Four years later he began the design and construction of the first Air Studios, a recording complex in the centre of London. Air has moved location since but to this day is one of the most successful studio operations in the world.
In the mid '70's George started construction of Air Studios Montserrat, situated in the Caribbean, which attracted major artists from all over the world. Sadly, Hurricane Hugo devastated the island of Montserrat in 1989, and the studio had to close. In 1995 a volcano erupted on the island, causing more havoc and distress. George raised money to help the island regain its footing and built a new Arts and Culture centre for the locals.