Jack Body

Jack Body
Jack Body in 2011
Body in 2011
Background information
Birth nameJohn Stanley Body
Born7 October 1944
Te Aroha, New Zealand
Died (aged 70)
Wellington, New Zealand
Occupations
LabelsAtoll Records
Websitewww.jackbody.com

John Stanley Body ONZM (7 October 1944 – 10 May 2015)[1] was a New Zealand composer, ethnomusicologist, photographer, teacher, and arts producer. As a composer, his work comprised concert music, music theatre, electronic music, music for film and dance, and audio-visual gallery installations.[2] A deep and long-standing interest in the music of non-Western cultures – particularly South-East Asian – influenced much of his composing work, particularly his technique of transcribing field recordings. As an organiser of musical events and projects, Body had a significant impact on the promotion of Asian music in New Zealand, as well as the promotion of New Zealand music within the country and abroad.[2]

In 2015 he was named a New Zealand Arts Icon, the highest award given by the New Zealand Arts Foundation and the first composer to be so honoured.[3] In November 2020, Body's status as an Arts Icon was suspended by the Arts Foundation following allegations that Body had sexually abused male students at Victoria University.[4] In January 2022, following a formal apology by the university to these students, the Arts Foundation confirmed that his award was no longer recognised by the organisation.[5]

  1. ^ "Brilliant composer Jack Body drew on diverse influences". Stuff (company). Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b "NZ composer – Jack Body". SOUNZ. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  3. ^ "The Arts Foundation : Jack Body – Biography". Thearts.co.nz. Archived from the original on 4 May 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Mau 3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Mau, Alison (28 January 2022). "University apologises to students over celebrated composer's alleged sexual assaults". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 February 2022.