Ken Freeman (composer)
Encyclopedia
Ken Freeman is a prominent English composer and session musician, primarily playing piano and synthesisers.
He is most prominently known for his work playing most of the synthesisers on Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
, and also as the composer of the theme music for BBC television's Casualty
and Holby City
. His session career has included work with artists including Justin Hayward
, David Essex
and Elkie Brooks
.
Ken is also considered by many to be the inventor of the string synthesiser, creating a prototype version of a polyphonic instrument at home in order to be able to mimic the sound of a string section more accurately in the studio.
Most recently in 2008, Ken has been working on a new version of the music he composed for the BBC series The Tripods
, in addition to composing and performing with jazz fusion band Orion, with guitarist Steve Locke, bassist Ben Hutchings and drummer Fred Beale.
Ken is also a keen player of chess in his spare time.
He is most prominently known for his work playing most of the synthesisers on Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds is a 1978 concept album by Jeff Wayne, retelling the story of The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells. Its format is progressive rock and string orchestra, using narration and leitmotifs to carry the story via rhyming melodic lyrics that express...
, and also as the composer of the theme music for BBC television's Casualty
Casualty (TV series)
Casualty, stylised as Casual+y, is a British weekly television show broadcast on BBC One, and the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world. Created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, it was first broadcast on 6 September 1986, and transmitted in the UK on BBC One. The...
and Holby City
Holby City
Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
. His session career has included work with artists including Justin Hayward
Justin Hayward
Justin Hayward is an English musician, best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England...
, David Essex
David Essex
David Essex OBE is an English musician, singer-songwriter and actor. Since the 1970s, Essex has attained nineteen Top 40 singles in the UK , and sixteen Top 40 albums...
and Elkie Brooks
Elkie Brooks
Elkie Brooks is an English singer, formerly a vocalist with Vinegar Joe, and later a solo artist. Elkie has been nominated twice for Brit Awards' top female singer. She is known for her powerful husky voice...
.
Ken is also considered by many to be the inventor of the string synthesiser, creating a prototype version of a polyphonic instrument at home in order to be able to mimic the sound of a string section more accurately in the studio.
Most recently in 2008, Ken has been working on a new version of the music he composed for the BBC series The Tripods
The Tripods
The Tripods is a series of young adult novels written by John Christopher, beginning in 1967. The first two were the basis of a science fiction TV-series, produced in the United Kingdom in the 1980s....
, in addition to composing and performing with jazz fusion band Orion, with guitarist Steve Locke, bassist Ben Hutchings and drummer Fred Beale.
Ken is also a keen player of chess in his spare time.