Remembering Jack Body
Jack Body’s music covers almost all genres, including solo and chamber music, orchestral music, music-theatre, music for dance and film as well as electroacoustic music. The music and cultures of Asia, particularly Indonesia, was a strong influence.
Jack was commissioned by the Auckland Philharmonia, NZ String Quartet, NZSO, BBC Scottish Orchestra and many other groups, and has written three works for the Kronos Quartet. In 1999 he was awarded an OMNZ for his services to music, and in 2004 he was honoured by the Arts Foundation of NZ as a laureate.
Jack was passionate advocate for NZ music, beginning with the early Sonic Circus in Wellington in the 1960s. He later organised three Asia Pacific Festivals in New Zealand featuring the contemporary and traditional music of New Zealand and her Asian neighbours. He was also the editor of Waiteata Music Press.
Since April 2021, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington has engaged in a restorative process around allegations of sexually harmful behaviours by former staff member Jack Body. The outcome of the restorative process can be viewed here.
Collection items
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Remembering Jack Body in China
Ethnomusicologist Dr Megan Collins on participating in Body Music, a conference commemorating the late New Zealand composer Jack Body at Zhejiang Conservatory in Hangzhou... Audio
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Jack Body Obituary
Jennifer Shennan, Elizabeth Kerr and John Psathas pay tribute to the late composer. Audio
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Noted composer Jack Body dies after long battle with cancer
That's the theme to Close To Home, one of the more widely known works by the noted composer, Jack Body, who has died in Wellington aged 70. Audio
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Jack Body (1944-2015)
4 May 2014Two programmes in which Elizabeth Kerr talks to Jack Body about his composition career. Audio
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Jack Body (1944-2015), Part 2
5 May 2014The second of two programmes in which Elizabeth Kerr talks to Jack Body about his composition career. Audio
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Arts Foundation Icon Award for Jack Body
Governor of the Arts Foundation announces Icon Award for composer Jack Body. Audio
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A biography of Jack Body
Co-editors of Jack!: Celebrating Jack Body composer discuss the book which will launch this evening in Wellington. Audio
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Jack Body
Wellington based composer on next year's Auckland Festival premiere of his work 'Songs and Dances of Desire: In Memoriam Carmen Rupe'. Audio
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Carmen: I am here, I am me
Jack Body's composition 'Songs & Dances of Desire' entwines the life of Bizet's opera character with the story of one of NZ's notable characters, Carmen Rupe. NB - listener discretion is advised due… Audio
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Jack Body: NZ Composer
NZ composer Jack Body talks to Eva Radich about recent CD releases of his music, and gives a preview of his 70th birthday celebration, held at the New Zealand School of Music in 2014. Audio
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Gong Crazy
Composer Jack Body is about to retire after 30 years at Victoria University's New Zealand School of Music. He talks to Lynne Freeman about the difference between sound and music, upcoming gamelan… Audio
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Jack Body and Gareth Farr: Gamelan Series
NZ Composers on their recent tours to Indonesia and Java with Victoria University Gamelan orchestras, and upcoming NZ concerts. Audio
Photos: Jack Body, taken 3 September 2011 by Gareth Watkins at the composer's house, Brooklyn, Wellington. Supported by the Lilburn Trust and the Wallace Arts Trust.
Related stories and music
Resound: listen to music by NZ composers.
Douglas: The Landscape of a New Zealand Composer
Find out more about Jack Body through the story of his life-long friend Douglas Lilburn.
