Timeline
Where was he, when?
102 moments, 1949 to today — every room, record and screen credit in order. Search a year, a place, a name.
- 1949Life
Born in London
Born 5 December into a musical family. His uncles were the bandleaders Woolf and Sid Phillips.
- 1962Life
Picks up the saxophone at 13
Joined a band and played his first gig the night after buying his first sax.
- 1967Life
Leaves City of London School
Then studied at the University of Sussex, doing session work and gigs with Peter Green and John Martyn.
- 1970Stage
Musical director for Hot Chocolate
Left his Birkbeck studies to tour as MD for two years.
- 1975Record
Starts arranging and conducting
The beginning of decades of hit-record arrangements.
- 1978Film & TV
Just a Gigolo
An early film job, and the start of his work with Monty Python.
Film & TVThe Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
All arrangements, with Neil Innes
- 1979Film & TV
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
Arranged, conducted and whistled on it for Monty Python's Life of Brian.
Film & TVMonty Python's Life of Brian
Arranged, conducted and whistled 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life'
Film & TVThe Innes Book of Records
Music, three series with Neil Innes
- 1981Stage
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Musical director for the Amnesty International benefit.
- 1984
Film & TVMiss Marple (Joan Hickson)
Musical director
- 1985Record
Walking in the Air
Arranged the Aled Jones hit.
Film & TVShadowlands
Musical director (BBC)
- 1990
Film & TVThe Sheltering Sky
Orchestration; Golden Globe-winning score
- 1991
Film & TVHear My Song
Composer; BAFTA Anthony Asquith Award
- 1992
Film & TVThe Old Devils
Composer; BAFTA nomination
- 1993
Film & TVBhaji on the Beach
Composer
Film & TVPeak Practice
Musical director, every episode
Film & TVBad Behaviour
Composer
- 1994
Film & TVLéon: The Professional
Orchestration & conducting
Film & TVCamilla
Composer
- 1995Film & TV
GoldenEye
Scored the tank chase through St Petersburg.
Film & TVFunny Bones
Composer
- 1996
Film & TVBeautiful Thing
Composer
- 1997Film & TV
Titanic
Music for the ballroom and the band on board, as the liner goes down.
Film & TVThe MatchMaker
Composer
- 1998Film & TV
Little Voice
Film music.
Film & TVLegionnaire
Composer
Film & TVBerkeley Square
Composer
- 1999Film & TV
Vendetta
Composer (HBO)
Film & TVRKO 281
Composer; Emmy and ASCAP awards
- 2000
Film & TVBeautiful Joe
Composer
- 2001Film & TV
Boss of Bosses
Composer
Film & TVThe Lost Empire
Composer
- 2002
Film & TVKing of Texas
Composer (Hallmark)
Film & TVFidel
Composer (Showtime)
- 2003Award
Second Emmy nomination
For The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone.
Film & TVThe Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone
Composer; Emmy nomination
Film & TVHope Springs
Composer
Film & TVOn Thin Ice
Composer
- 2004Award
ASCAP award
For Shall We Dance?
Film & TVShall We Dance?
Composer; ASCAP award
Film & TVSuburban Madness
Composer
- 2005
Film & TVThe Queen's Sister
Composer
Film & TVMr. Harvey Lights a Candle
Composer
- 2006Record
You Started Something
His jazz quartet album on Bronze Jazz, named Jazz CD of the Month by The Observer.
AwardGold Badge of Excellence
Lifetime achievement honour from the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters.
- 2007
Film & TVShoot on Sight
Composer
- 2008Film & TV
Aakasha Gopuram
Composer
- 2010
- 2011Award
Lifetime Achievement, Monaco Film Festival
Recognition for a career in film music.
RecordAmnesty at 50: Chimes of Freedom
Invited via Sir George Martin.
- 2012Award
Honorary doctorate, University of Sussex
Where he had been the first Creative Arts Fellow in Humanities.
- 2015Film & TV
Shooting Stars (1928, restored)
New 100-minute score, London Film Festival gala
Film & TVMortdecai
Arrangements
- 2016
- 2018Stage
On stage with Prince's New Power Generation
August 2018.
AwardA star on Brighton's Palace Pier
Inducted into the Brighton Music Walk of Fame.
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021Film & TV
No Time to Die
Bond returns: music for the 25th 007 film.
- 2022Book
Hidden Man: My Many Musical Lives
Memoir published in February by Equinox. The title was a nickname from Terry Gilliam.
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025