Josquin Des Pres (20th century musician)


Josquin Des Pres is a 20th-century French-born American record producer, songwriter and TV composer who is also known for his contributions to music media books for Hal Leonard Corporation and Mel Bay instructional music books. Josquin has written a vast library of compositions and music techniques on bass, music studies and various collections which are used by music teachers, private studies and in schools both nationally and internationally as a standard tool in the music industry. Des Pres is also a collaborative writer with English lyricist, poet, and singer Bernie Taupin on several compositions. Josquin Des Pres also writes musical scores and music trailers for more than 40 major TV networks and television shows including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Bachelor, American Idol, The Tyra Banks Show, George Lopez, Anderson Cooper, TMZ on TV, Extra, American Chopper, Pawn Stars, Deadliest Catch, CNN, NBC, HGTV, TBS, Bravo, Food Network, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, History, Travel Channel, CBS Television Stations, Viacom, VH1, ABC, BET, KPBS, TLC, and The CW Network. His works are also known on MTV Networks Television Series Catfish, The Seven, When I Was Seventeen, MTV Cribs, Pimp My Ride, Teen Mom, True Life and 10 on Top.

Early life

Josquin Des Pres started out in the early 1970s playing bass professionally in the South of France. Josquin joined Prog-Rock group Edition Speciale with whom he recorded two albums which include Allée Des Tilleuls for United Artists Records and Aliquante RCA Records from 1975-1977. In the late 70s Josquin toured with French Jazz violinist Didier Lockwood and then migrated to Los Angeles, California to play with former Mahavishnu Orchestra violinist Jerry Goodman. In the early 80s Josquin formed the melodic hard rock group Stress with guitarist/vocalist Mike Thomas who were later joined by former Aerosmith guitarist Jimmy Crespo.
In the late 1980s, Taupin and Des Pres wrote several songs covered by various artists around the globe.

Music producer

Over the last 4 decades, Josquin des Pres has produced CDs for major and independent labels, written songs for major and independent artists and as a bass player, Josquin Des Pres has recorded and shared credits with studio musicians. His most popular works are with drummer and percussionist Jeff Porcaro, American guitarist Steve Lukather, Bernie Taupin, singer songwriter Jack Johnson, Singer/Songwriter Jason Mraz, bassist Bunny Brunel, Stanley Clarke, Billy Sheehan, Charley Pride
country singer-songwriter John Carter Cash, Vinnie Colaiuta, Peruvian drummer and percussionist Alex Acuña, Tower of Power drummer David Garibaldi, guitarist Jerry Donahue, and John Jorgenson. He also produced and co-wrote "Les Nouveaux Bohemiens" album with "The Gypsy Swing AllStars", Jamie Reno's Greatest Hits Album featuring Peter Frampton, Dickey Betts, Skunk Baxter, Charlie Daniels, Ricky Skaggs and Randy Meisner. Josquin is also the owner and Record producer of Track Star Studios in La Mesa, California.

Josquin Des Pres songs written with Bernie Taupin

In the late 1980s, Bernie Taupin and Josquin Des Pres wrote several songs that have been recorded and performed by various artists around the globe.
Complete Discography available at http://www.allmusic.com/artist/josquin-des-pres-mn0000287123
Josquin Des Pres has written, co-written and scored at least 18 books, audio CD's and DVD's regarding the music industry, music tutorials and bass playing. His books are a standard in music instruction worldwide.
Josquin Des Pres has written music and themes for the following TV Shows and TV Networks:
Ellen de Generes, The Bachelor, American Idol, Tyra Banks, George Lopez Show, Anderson Cooper, TMZ, Extra, American Chopper, Pawn Stars, Deadliest Catch etc. MTV Networks CNN, NBC, HGTV, TBS, Bravo, Food Network, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, History Channel, Travel Channel, CBS, Viacom, VH1, ABC, BET, KPBS, TLC, CW Network, Miss Universe etc.

Associated record labels