Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

February 6, 1949 in Southampton, Hampshire, England

Genre

:

Film

 

Mike Batt is a British composer, songwriter, and producer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on February 6, 1949, in Southampton, England, Batt grew up in a musical family. His father was a professional musician, and his mother was a singer. Batt started playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Batt attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied composition, conducting, and piano. After graduating, he worked as a session musician and arranger for various artists, including David Bowie, Elton John, and Steeleye Span. In 1974, Batt released his first solo album, "Schizophonia," which showcased his unique blend of classical and pop music. One of Batt's most significant achievements was his work on the musical "The Wombles." The Wombles were a group of fictional characters created by author Elisabeth Beresford, who lived in Wimbledon Common and collected and recycled rubbish. Batt wrote and produced the music for the stage show, which premiered in 1974. The show was a huge success and spawned several hit singles, including "Remember You're a Womble" and "Wombling Merry Christmas." Batt continued to work on various musical projects throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including producing albums for artists such as Katie Melua and Vanessa-Mae. In 1980, he released his second solo album, "Tarot Suite," which was inspired by the tarot cards. The album featured the hit single "Lady of the Dawn," which reached number three on the UK charts. In 1981, Batt composed the music for the animated film "The Water Babies." The film was based on the novel by Charles Kingsley and featured the voices of James Mason, Bernard Cribbins, and David Tomlinson. Batt's score for the film was nominated for a BAFTA award. Batt's most famous work is undoubtedly his composition "Caravan Song," which was used as the theme tune for the BBC television series "The Moomins." The Moomins were a group of fictional characters created by Finnish author Tove Jansson, who lived in Moominvalley and had various adventures. The series was a huge success and ran from 1983 to 1985. Batt's music for the show was released as an album, which reached number two on the UK charts. In 1990, Batt released his third solo album, "Arabesque," which featured a mix of classical and world music. The album included the hit single "The Ride to Agadir," which reached number 16 on the UK charts. Batt continued to work on various musical projects throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including producing albums for artists such as Cliff Richard and Roger Daltrey. In 2002, Batt discovered a young singer-songwriter named Katie Melua and signed her to his record label, Dramatico. Melua's debut album, "Call Off the Search," was released in 2003 and became a huge success, reaching number one on the UK charts. Batt produced the album and co-wrote several of the songs, including the hit single "The Closest Thing to Crazy." Batt continued to work with Melua on her subsequent albums, including "Piece by Piece" and "Pictures." He also produced albums for other artists, including Lulu and Marianne Faithfull. In 2018, Batt released his latest album, "A Songwriter's Tale," which featured re-recordings of some of his most famous songs, as well as new material. Throughout his career, Batt has been recognized for his contributions to the world of music.

More....