OTHER PROJECTS

I have known trumpeter Guy Barker for a dozen years, ever since he composed a stunning theme for my novel Underdogs (it can be found in his album Soundtrack).

We have collaborated on a suite called dZf, which is a re-tooling of Mozart’s Magic Flute. I switched the setting to New York and wrote a short story that (loosely) followed the opera’s plot. Guy then wrote astonishing themes and arrangements for his Jazz Orchestra, which features ace Italian alto-player Rosario Giuliani.

It is narrated, live and on record (the double-CD The Amadeus Project), by the great Michael Brandon (Dempsey & Makepeace, Jerry Springer and the voice of Michael Connelly’s audiobooks). The piece will next be performed at the Hong Kong Arts festival in March 2010.

“Cinematically evocative contemporary jazz...Barker's trumpet blazes over all the music, and the writing is consistently terrific” - John Fordham, The Guardian.

“Barker shows off his writing skills...referencing the best jazz composers with panache - sexily muted harmonies and powerful riffs” – Mike Hobart, FT.

However, Edward Canfor-Dumas has written a brilliant treatment for Empire of Sand, the Lawrence of Arabia prequel, which deserves to progress.

I have written a script based on Steel Rain and Copper Kiss, the two Tom Neale novels, called Some Must Watch, for Fremantle TV. Reaction to it has been very favourable and it is out there somewhere, cap in hand, begging to get made. Please give generously.

I still contribute to the Sunday Times Travel Section. You can find the most recent articles here:

• Bangkok street food
• Berlin restaurants
• Milan’s Happy Hour