Jake Hook
Encyclopedia
Jake Patrick Robert Hook is a British, million-seller songwriter
, producer
and arranger. Hook signed with EMI, in December 2009, on the strength of the single "Coming Home
" by The Soldiers
.
, and raised with his younger brother in Southgate
, North London
, by his Irish Catholic mother and English Protestant father. At age eight, he attended the famous Chickenshed
Theatre. Inheriting his great grandmother's piano had inspired him to learn to play.
Hook suffers from dyslexia
, making him unable to read sheet music. He learned to play the piano by lying underneath the theatre's baby grand piano, memorising how chords were formed and sounded until he could play tunes in his head. Hook also plays flute
, drums and acoustic guitar
. He has participated in four London musicals.
Hook appeared in BBC
drama The Biz, and sang backup for Meat Loaf
. He appeared in the Top 15 hit "I'm In Love with the World" in 1997. Hook attended Middlesex
University. His musical influences include Janet Jackson
, George Michael
and Peter Gabriel
Hook performed alongside Jamelia
, Jenny Frost
, The Cheeky Girls
, Phixx
and Cliff Richard
during a European tour, promoting the album.
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. He co-wrote a song for Cbeebies
programme Tikkabilla
, with producer Francis Haines.
Hook 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".
winner David Sneddon
. He released Live Sessions EP with songs "Fireflies, Waterfalls, Elusive You" and "Snowglobes". He was featured as artist of the week by 7digital indiestore:
In June 1997, the singles "Wanna" and "SXY" 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. He supported Billy Ocean
at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, at a prestigious charity event.
(Russell Watson
& Katherine Jenkins
). Hook was asked to pen a song for a new band, The Soldiers
(Warner UK). The debut single "Coming Home
" co-written by Jake Hook, Nick Patrick and Jeff Chegwin, music and arrangement by Hook, produced by Patrick was released in early October. The album of the same name was released on October 26, entered the UK album chart at number 4, later went on to sell over 600,000 copies and certified double platinum status by the British Phonographic Industry
(BPI) in the UK alone. On 13 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" 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 7 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). In 2010, Hook's work will be heard on the yet-to-be-released album Home by New Zealand's Elizabeth Marvelly
(EMI). On January 16, 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
.
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and arranger. Hook signed with EMI, in December 2009, on the strength of the single "Coming Home
Coming Home (The Soldiers song)
"Coming Home" is a song performed by British pop singers The Soldiers. It was written by Jake Hook, Nick Patrick and Jeff Chegwin and produced by Patrick for The Soldier's first album Coming Home...
" by The Soldiers
The Soldiers
The Soldiers is a singing trio consisting of serving British Army soldiers, signed to CPW Productions Warner Bros. Records, whose debut album, Coming Home, was released on 26 October 2009. The trio consists of Ryan Idzi, Richie Maddocks and Gary Chilton. The Soldiers' first national interview was...
.
Origins
Jake Hook was born in the London Borough of CamdenLondon Borough of Camden
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough were already developed and had a total population of 96,795. This continued to rise swiftly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 270,197 in the middle of the century...
, and raised with his younger brother in Southgate
Southgate, London
Southgate is an area of north London, England, primarily within the London Borough of Enfield, although parts of its western fringes lie within the London Borough of Barnet. It is located around north of Charing Cross. The name is derived from being the south gate to Enfield Chase...
, North London
North London
North London is the northern part of London, England. It is an imprecise description and the area it covers is defined differently for a range of purposes. Common to these definitions is that it includes districts located north of the River Thames and is used in comparison with South...
, by his Irish Catholic mother and English Protestant father. At age eight, he attended the famous Chickenshed
Chickenshed
Chickenshed is a British theatre company based in Cockfosters, London. It was founded in 1974 in a disused chicken shed by Mary Ward and Jo Collins. The company produces theatrical and musical productions, performed by children, teenagers and adults of all backgrounds and abilities...
Theatre. Inheriting his great grandmother's piano had inspired him to learn to play.
Hook suffers from dyslexia
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a very broad term defining a learning disability that impairs a person's fluency or comprehension accuracy in being able to read, and which can manifest itself as a difficulty with phonological awareness, phonological decoding, orthographic coding, auditory short-term memory, or rapid...
, making him unable to read sheet music. He learned to play the piano by lying underneath the theatre's baby grand piano, memorising how chords were formed and sounded until he could play tunes in his head. Hook also plays flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, drums and acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
. He has participated in four London musicals.
Hook appeared in BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
drama The Biz, and sang backup for Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
. He appeared in the Top 15 hit "I'm In Love with the World" in 1997. Hook attended Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
University. His musical influences include Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
, George Michael
George Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
and Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
Singer/Songwriter
Hook self-funded his debut album of seventeen original songs, Record on the Blag in 2004. The entire album was completely 'Blagged' (got for free). The music video for the first single "Smooth" (recorded at Elstree Film Studios), a documentary about Jake, the studio time, and all the musicians were also 'blagged'.Hook performed alongside Jamelia
Jamelia
Jamelia Niela Davis , best known mononymously as Jamelia, is an English singer-songwriter, model, entertainer, television presenter and actress. She is most famous for her use of a cappella and prolific work in the R&B genre...
, Jenny Frost
Jenny Frost
Jennifer "Jenny" Frost is an English singer, dancer, television presenter and model. She was a member of girl group Precious before replacing Kerry Katona in chart topping band Atomic Kitten from 2001 until they split in 2008. Frost presented makeunder show Snog Marry Avoid? from 2008 to 2011...
, The Cheeky Girls
The Cheeky Girls
The Cheeky Girls are a pop duo consisting of twin sisters Gabriela and Monica Irimia, from Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania, Romania, but based in Britain. After appearing as auditionees in Popstars: The Rivals, they achieved success in the charts with four top ten hits between 2002 and 2004...
, Phixx
Phixx
Phixx were an English boy band formed in 2003 from the five runners up on British TV show Popstars: The Rivals. The original members were Andrew Kinlochan, Chris Park, Mikey Green, Peter Smith, and Nikk Mager. Between 2003 and 2005 they had four top 20 singles in the UK...
and Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
during a European tour, promoting the album.
In 2006 after numerous label changes, Hook founded his own label, LBM Records, sourced with financial backing from around the world. CBBC
CBBC
CBBC is one of two brand names used for the BBC's children's television strands. Between 1985 and 2002, CBBC was the name given to all the BBC's programmes on TV for children aged under 14...
commissioned "Seaside Day Out", a song by Hook which received 250,000 downloads in one week, on the BBC Interactive Service. He co-wrote a song for Cbeebies
CBeebies
CBeebies is the brand used by the BBC for programming aimed at children 6 years and under. It is used as a themed strand in the UK on terrestrial television, as a separate free-to-air domestic British channel and used for international varients supported by advertising, subscription or both...
programme Tikkabilla
Tikkabilla
Tikkabilla is a UK children's television programme, shown on BBC1, BBC2 and on the CBeebies channel.The programme aims to educate pre-school children in an entertaining manner...
, with producer Francis Haines.
Hook 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
Beryl Marsden
Beryl Marsden is a British R&B and pop singer, who first came to notice on the Liverpool club scene of the early 1960s. She recorded a number of "powerful and soulful", but unsuccessful, records, and has been described as "undeservedly neglected".-Life and career:She was born Beryl Hogg in the...
's single "Baby It's You".
Performer
In 2007, Hook took to the road on a mini tour with Fame AcademyFame Academy
Fame Academy is a televised competition to search for and educate new musical talents. The winner received a chance to become a successful music artist. The prize consisted of a £1m recording contract with a major record company, plus the use of a luxury apartment in London and a sports car for one...
winner David Sneddon
David Sneddon
David Sneddon is a Scottish musician and singer-songwriter.He has performed on British television, radio and theatre. Sneddon won the first BBC UK series of Fame Academy in 2002...
. He released Live Sessions EP with songs "Fireflies, Waterfalls, Elusive You" and "Snowglobes". He was 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 singles "Wanna" and "SXY" 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. He supported Billy Ocean
Billy Ocean
Billy Ocean is a Trinidad-born English Grammy Award winning popular music performer who had a string of rhythm and blues international pop hits in the 1970s and 1980s. He was the most popular British-based R&B singer / songwriter of the early to mid-1980s...
at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, at a prestigious charity event.
Songwriter
Hook began working with other songwriters in late 2008. A song written by one of these partnerships brought Hook to the attention of seven-time Classical Brit award-winning producer Nick PatrickNick Patrick
Nick Patrick may refer to:* Nick Patrick , British actor* Nick Patrick , music producer* Nicholas Patrick, British-born NASA astronaut* Nick Hamilton, wrestling referee whose stage name is Nick Patrick...
(Russell Watson
Russell Watson
Russell Watson is an English tenor who has released singles and albums of both operatic-style and pop songs. The self-styled "People's Tenor" had been singing since he was a child, and became known after performing at a working men's club...
& Katherine Jenkins
Katherine Jenkins
Katherine Jenkins is a Welsh mezzo-soprano. She is a classical-popular crossover singer who performs across a spectrum of operatic arias, popular songs, musical theatre and hymns.-Early life and education:...
). Hook was asked to pen a song for a new band, The Soldiers
The Soldiers
The Soldiers is a singing trio consisting of serving British Army soldiers, signed to CPW Productions Warner Bros. Records, whose debut album, Coming Home, was released on 26 October 2009. The trio consists of Ryan Idzi, Richie Maddocks and Gary Chilton. The Soldiers' first national interview was...
(Warner UK). The debut single "Coming Home
Coming Home (The Soldiers song)
"Coming Home" is a song performed by British pop singers The Soldiers. It was written by Jake Hook, Nick Patrick and Jeff Chegwin and produced by Patrick for The Soldier's first album Coming Home...
" co-written by Jake Hook, Nick Patrick and Jeff Chegwin, music and arrangement by Hook, produced by Patrick was released in early October. The album of the same name was released on October 26, entered the UK album chart at number 4, later went on to sell over 600,000 copies and certified double platinum status by the British Phonographic Industry
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
(BPI) in the UK alone. On 13 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" 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 7 and charted in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at number 65.
Hook also programmed and vocally arranged on the Classical Brit nominated album Together by classical crossover act Blake
Blake (band)
Blake are a classical vocal quartet. They are widely known as the group who formed on Facebook.They released their debut album "Blake" in November 2007, which won the Album of the Year Award at the Classical BRIT Awards in 2008...
(EMI). In 2010, Hook's work will be heard on the yet-to-be-released album Home by New Zealand's Elizabeth Marvelly
Elizabeth Marvelly
Elizabeth Lillian Marvelly , is a soprano from Rotorua, New Zealand. Marvelly was a scholarship student at King's College, Auckland in 2007.-Debut Album:...
(EMI). On January 16, 2010 Music Week
Music Week
Music Week is a trade paper for the UK record industry.Founded in 1959 as Record Retailer, it was relaunched on 18 March 1972 as Music Week . On 17 January 1981 the title was again changed, owing to the increasing importance of sell-through videos, to Music & Video Week...
listed Hook amongst the 'Movers, Shakers and Dead certs' – and one of EMI's signings of note in 2009, alongside JLS
JLS
- Music :* JLS, an English boyband** JLS , debut album by JLS* JLS a Spanish Rock band based in Zaragoza , Spain formed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by lead Leo Susana.- Organizations :...
, Guy Chambers
Guy Chambers
Guy Chambers is an English songwriter and record producer, perhaps best known for his long partnership with Robbie Williams.- Biography :...
and Nadine Coyle
Nadine Coyle
Nadine Coyle is an Irish singer, songwriter, actress, and model who rose to fame in the early 2000s as a member of the band Six before becoming a member of successful girl-group Girls Aloud. The group amassed a joint fortune of £25 million by May 2009...
.
Discography
The following are music singles or albums released by Jake Hook (as singer/songwriter/programmer or producer).Singles
- "Smooth" (2004)
- "Elusive You" (2006)
- "Wanna" (2007)
- "Baby It's YouBaby It's You"Baby It's You" is a song written by Burt Bacharach , and Luther Dixon and Mack David . It was recorded by The Shirelles and The Beatles, and became hits for both...
" 2007 Beryl MarsdenBeryl MarsdenBeryl Marsden is a British R&B and pop singer, who first came to notice on the Liverpool club scene of the early 1960s. She recorded a number of "powerful and soulful", but unsuccessful, records, and has been described as "undeservedly neglected".-Life and career:She was born Beryl Hogg in the... - "Too Late" (2008) Beryl Marsden
- "Hey Santa (Bring my Baby Back)" (2008/9)
- "Coming HomeComing Home (The Soldiers song)"Coming Home" is a song performed by British pop singers The Soldiers. It was written by Jake Hook, Nick Patrick and Jeff Chegwin and produced by Patrick for The Soldier's first album Coming Home...
" - The SoldiersThe SoldiersThe Soldiers is a singing trio consisting of serving British Army soldiers, signed to CPW Productions Warner Bros. Records, whose debut album, Coming Home, was released on 26 October 2009. The trio consists of Ryan Idzi, Richie Maddocks and Gary Chilton. The Soldiers' first national interview was...
(2009) - "Unsung Hero" - BlakeBlake (band)Blake are a classical vocal quartet. They are widely known as the group who formed on Facebook.They released their debut album "Blake" in November 2007, which won the Album of the Year Award at the Classical BRIT Awards in 2008...
(2009) - "A Soldier's Christmas Letter" - The Soldiers (2009) no.65
- "Letters Home" - The Soldiers (2010)
- "If You Can" - FourNurses (2011)
- "Coming Home" - The Diggers (2011)
Albums
- Record on the Blag (2005)
- "Best Of, So Far" Jake HookJake HookJake Patrick Robert Hook is a British, million-seller songwriter, producer and arranger. Hook signed with EMI, in December 2009, on the strength of the single "Coming Home" by The Soldiers.-Origins:...
(2007) #52 iTunes Album Chart - Coming HomeComing Home (The Soldiers album)Coming Home is the debut album by The Soldiers. The album was released on the 26th October 2009. All the album's contents are cover versions apart from title track Coming Home, which celebrates those who have made it back and remembers the fallen. Proceeds will go to the Army Benevolent Fund, Help...
- The SoldiersThe SoldiersThe Soldiers is a singing trio consisting of serving British Army soldiers, signed to CPW Productions Warner Bros. Records, whose debut album, Coming Home, was released on 26 October 2009. The trio consists of Ryan Idzi, Richie Maddocks and Gary Chilton. The Soldiers' first national interview was...
(2009) #4 UK Album charts - Together - BlakeBlake (band)Blake are a classical vocal quartet. They are widely known as the group who formed on Facebook.They released their debut album "Blake" in November 2007, which won the Album of the Year Award at the Classical BRIT Awards in 2008...
(2009) #36 UK Album Charts - "62" - Beryl MarsdenBeryl MarsdenBeryl Marsden is a British R&B and pop singer, who first came to notice on the Liverpool club scene of the early 1960s. She recorded a number of "powerful and soulful", but unsuccessful, records, and has been described as "undeservedly neglected".-Life and career:She was born Beryl Hogg in the...
(tbc) - Love Songs - The Soldiers (2010)
- No Space For Air - Julie AthertonJulie AthertonJulie Atherton is a British actress, who is best known for her work on stage. On the 3rd of October 2009 she finished playing the roles of Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut in the West End production Avenue Q. She released her debut album, A Girl of Few Words on 2 October 2006...
(2010) - Letters HomeLetters Home (The Soldiers album)Letters Home is the second album by The Soldiers. The album was released on the 25th October 2010. According to Midweek Charts the album was set to enter at number 12 on the UK Albums Chart, although it eventually charted at #10.-Singles:...
- The Soldiers (2010) no.10 UK album charts - Coming Home - The Soldiers (2010) US Release
- Men in Scarlet - The Chelsea Pensioners (2010) no. 14 UK album charts
- Father Christmas Sings - Father Christmas (2010) #40 Album Charts
- Guiding You - FourNurses (2011) #45 UK Album Charts
- A Royal Tribute - Band of the Welsh Guards (2011) #65 UK Album Charts
- Home - Elizabeth MarvellyElizabeth MarvellyElizabeth Lillian Marvelly , is a soprano from Rotorua, New Zealand. Marvelly was a scholarship student at King's College, Auckland in 2007.-Debut Album:...
(2011) #6 New Zealand Album Charts - "Best Of, The Soldiers" The SoldiersThe SoldiersThe Soldiers is a singing trio consisting of serving British Army soldiers, signed to CPW Productions Warner Bros. Records, whose debut album, Coming Home, was released on 26 October 2009. The trio consists of Ryan Idzi, Richie Maddocks and Gary Chilton. The Soldiers' first national interview was...
(2011) - "Message To You" The SoldiersThe SoldiersThe Soldiers is a singing trio consisting of serving British Army soldiers, signed to CPW Productions Warner Bros. Records, whose debut album, Coming Home, was released on 26 October 2009. The trio consists of Ryan Idzi, Richie Maddocks and Gary Chilton. The Soldiers' first national interview was...
(2011) #11 UK Album Charts
External links
- Jake Hook Website - information, photos, bio
- Jake Hook on Myspace
- Jake Hook on Facebook
- Jake Hook on Reverbnation - Jake blogs, photos, music