From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article has multiple issues. Please help improve the article or discuss these issues on the talk page. This biography of a living person needs additional references or sources for verification. Tagged since March 2010. It needs sources or references that appear in third-party publications. Tagged since March 2010. It may need copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. Tagged since March 2010. This article includes a list of references or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (March 2010) Jake Hook
Jake Hook songwriter.JPG Background information Years active 2004–present Labels EMI Associated acts The Soldiers Website www.jakehook.com
Jake Hook (Jake Patrick Robert Hook) is a British, million seller songwriter, producer and arranger. Signed to EMI,[1] one of the world’s largest music publishers in December 2009 on the strength of the single "Coming Home (The Soldiers song)" from The Soldiers[2].Contents [hide] 1 Origins 2 Music career 2.1 Singer/Songwriter 2.2 Performer 2.3 Songwriter 3 Discography 3.1 Singles 3.2 Albums 3.3 EPs 4 References 5 External Links
[edit] Origins
Hook was born in Camden,[3] raised with his younger brother in Southgate, North London by his Irish Catholic mother and English Protestant father. At age eight attended the famous Chickenshed Theatre. Left his Great Granny’s piano in her will inspired him to learn to play.
Suffers from dyslexia, making him unable to read sheet music. Learned to play the piano by lying underneath the theatre’s baby-grand memorising how chords were formed and sounded until he could play tunes in his head. Also plays flute, drums and acoustic guitar. Participated in four London musicals. Appeared in BBC drama ‘The Biz’. Sang backing for Meatloaf. Appears on the Top 15 hit “I’m In Love with the World’ in 1997. Attended Middlesex University. Musical influences include Janet Jackson, George Michael and Peter Gabriel[4] [edit] Music career [edit] Singer/Songwriter
Self-funded his debut album of seventeen original songs, Record on the Blag in 2004. Entire album was completely 'Blagged’(got for free). The music video for first single Smooth (recorded at Elstree Film Studios), a documentary about Jake, studio time and all the musicians were also ‘blagged’. Hook performed alongside Jamelia, Jenny Frost, The Cheeky Girls, Phixx and Cliff Richard during a European tour, promoting the album.[5]
In 2006 after numerous label changes Hook founded his own label LBM Records, sourced with financial backing from around the world. CBBC commissioned ‘Seaside Day Out’ a song by Hook which received 250,000 downloads in one week, on the BBC Interactive Service. Co-wrote a song for Cbeebies programme Tikkabilla with producer Francis Haines.
Has written a part autobiographical album The Butterfly Observations dubbed the torch song’ album of the new age which is still in production. Elusive You from the album was released and charted in several territories. Hook turned his hand at producing with the DoubleH remix of sixties icon Beryl Marsden’s single Baby It’s You. [edit] Performer
In 2007 Hook took to the road on a mini tour with Fame Academy winner David Sneddon. Released ‘Live Sessions Ep’ with songs Fireflies, Waterfalls, Elusive You and Snowglobes. Featured as, artist of the week by 7digital indiestore - "In the final instalment, comes perhaps our favourite. Veering from Eighties funkatering ('Elusive You'). to gorgeous gas mark 9 balladeering ('FireFlies') without batting an eye, it is all utterly marvellous stuff."
In June 1997, the single Wanna and SXY[6] tracks include Crave, Sunsets, In Flagrante, Satisfied? Wanna, Silent Whispers and Purple Sky was released with much success. Hook continued to write songs of different styles and genres. In 2008 & 2009 Hook could be found gigging in various London venues. Supported Billy Ocean at the Royal Lancaster Hotel at a prestigious charity event. [edit] Songwriter
Began working with other songwriters in late 2008, a song written by one of these partnerships brought Hook to the attention of seven times Classical Brit award winning producer Nick Patrick (Russell Watson & Katherine Jenkins). Hook was asked to pen a song for new band, The Soldiers (Warner UK). Debut single Coming Home co-written by Jake Hook, Nick Patrick and Geoff Chegwin, music and arrangement by Hook, produced by Patrick was released in early October. The album of the same name was released on October 26th, entered the UK album chart at number 4, later went on to sell over 600,000 copies and certified double platinum status by the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) in the UK alone. On 13th January 2010, Alan Titchmarsh (The Alan Titchmarsh Show) gave The Soldiers their double platinum disc, he later said "I enjoyed The Soldiers today, I got their album for Christmas and going double-platinum is well deserved"[7] The second single 'A Soldier's Christmas Letter' also featured on the album (Coming Home) was written, programmed and arranged by Hook, released on December 7th and charted in the UK Singles Chart at number 65.
Hook also programmed and vocally arranged on the Classical Brit nominated album Together by classical crossover act Blake (EMI)[8]. In 2010 Hook’s work will be heard on yet to be released album ‘Home’ by New Zealand’s Elizabeth Marvelly (EMI). On January 16th, 2010 Music Week listed Hook amongst the 'Movers, Shakers and Dead certs’ – and one of EMI’s signings of note in 2009 alongside JLS, Guy Chambers and Nadine Coyle[9]. [edit] Discography Music released by Jake Hook(as singer/songwriter) [edit] Singles "Smooth" (2004) "Elusive You" (2006) "Wanna" (2007) "Hey Santa (Bring my Baby Back)" (2008/9) "Coming Home" - The Soldiers (2009) "Unsung Hero" - Blake (2009) "A Soldier's Christmas Letter" - The Soldiers (2009) no.65 [edit] Albums Record on the Blag (2005) Coming Home - The Soldiers (2009) no.4 UK Together - Blake (2009) Home - Elizabeth Marvelly (tbc) [edit] EPs Smooth Ep (2005) Live Sessions (2007) SXY (2007) [edit] References ^ EMI Songwriters ^ EMI artists ^ Jake Hook's Interview with Pink News ^ Jake Hook's bio at Last.fm ^ Jake Hook Official Website ^ Jake Hook Website ^ Alan Titchmarsh Myspace ^ Jake Hook Official Website ^ Jake Hook Official Website
