#63 John O'Hara — How To Be A Deep Communicator of Music

Born in Liverpool, in 1962, John' family relocated to North Wales in the early 1970’s where John joined the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. He played in several bands with his Father before moving to the Royal Northern College of Music studying Contemporary percussion/ drum kit and piano. 

After 5 years of graduate and post-graduate studies, he joined Rambert Dance Company, London as a percussionist, enjoying extensive touring for a further 5 years. After still more years gigging in bands and theatre John accepted the post as Composer / Musical Director for the Bristol Old Vic. While working in theatre John learned the basics on Bass Guitar, Flute, Trumpet and Trombone until eventually discovering the Accordion. 

As of the 2023 release of the new  @officialjethrotull  album RökFlöte, it’s been 20 years since John has been part of the Jethro Tull family. In 2003 he met  @IanAnderson  and joined the “Rubbing Elbows” tour on piano and accordion subsequently recording on “Rupi’s Dance.” Since that time John has enjoyed touring with the band and scoring, conducting, and playing Ian’s orchestral concerts.

Outside of the Jethro Tulliverse, In 2004 John was commissioned to compose a children’s opera by the  @welshnationalopera  . This was a great success and has led to a further two pieces being commissioned. John has composed for wildlife, drama, and documentary TV. John holds teaching positions at Bath and Bristol Universities and is a guest tutor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. From 2007-2009, he helped arrange and conduct music for the College’s stage production of the classic The Who album “Quadrophenia.”

This past April (2023), John performed with an All-Star band (including Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson) touring “Jon Lord’s Concerto for Group and Orchestra,” featuring the music of Deep Purple.   John composed the closing oratorio, “The Bargee’s Wife” for the Three Choirs Festival U.K. (2013) and “The Gloucester Magnificat” for Gloucester Cathedral U.K. (2016).

 During the pandemic, he composed the score for a series of short films for the  @TravellingLightTheatre  designed to help young people during lockdown: 17 and the Squeak Gobbler (2021 available on YouTube).

He continues to work with young performers in universities, as well as drama and music schools.