Information on Jack Body

Born on October 7, 1944, Jack Body was renowned for his diverse and innovative compositions, which included concert music, music theatre, electronic music, music for film and dance, and audio-visual gallery installations. His deep and long-standing interest in non-Western cultures, particularly Southeast Asian music, significantly influenced his composing work. This is evident in his technique of transcribing field recordings and integrating them into his compositions.

Body's work often reflected themes of non-Western cultures and non-normative sexual identity. One of his notable pieces, "Songs & Dances of Desire" (2013), written while he was Composer-in-Residence with the Auckland Philharmonia, is based on the life of Carmen Rupe. Carmen was an anti-discrimination and AIDS activist. This music-theatre piece showcased Body's ability to intertwine cultural and LGBTI themes, featuring vocalists singing in various languages and styles, representing a global perspective on gender and identity.

His lifelong commitment to promoting and organizing musical events greatly impacted New Zealand's cultural life. One of his early projects was the Sonic Circuses, the first of which took place in Wellington in 1974. These events, inspired by John Cage’s Musicircus, were ambitious and multifaceted, featuring New Zealand music across different venues. This initiative highlighted Body's role as an ambitious organiser and curator, leaving a substantial mark on New Zealand's composing community.

Additionally, Body's personal life was closely intertwined with his professional work. He was openly gay, and his partner for 40 years was Yono Soekarno, whom he met in Indonesia. His sexual identity was a fundamental aspect of his artistic perspective, influencing his compositions and the way he approached his work.

Body's fascination with Eastern music is another hallmark of his career. His compositions often featured elements from Eastern musical traditions, such as the gamelan, a traditional musical ensemble from Indonesia. This influence is evident in works like "Musik dari Jalan" (1975), "Three Transcriptions" (1987), and his opera "Alley" (1997), based on the life of Rewi Alley. These compositions not only showcased Body's diverse musical influences but also his commitment to cross-cultural exchange and understanding.

Throughout his career, Body was recognized for his contributions to the arts. He was honored with awards and accolades, including the prestigious Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon Award, Whakamana Hiranga. The Foundation later distanced itself from Body, after sexual assault allegations were made against him after his death in 2015.

Further information can be found at:

• wikipedia.org