Jeremy Willis, Part-time Lecturer

Jeremy Willis

Part-time Lecturer

Jez Willis is a professional electronic producer, musician, composer and performer with nearly 30 years experience. He has sold over 2 million records with chart success from 1991 to 2012.

As one half of Utah Saints, Jez Willis has been making music, DJ-ing and playing gigs around the globe since the birth of House music. He has co-produced and written 9 Top 40 UK hits, 4 of which hit the Top 10, and has sold over 2 million records worldwide. Utah Saints have been critically acclaimed for their pioneering work using samples in dance music.

His band have performed worldwide, including all major festivals and supporting U2 on tour. He has worked with many major artists and producers, including Chuck D (Public Enemy),Michael Stipe (REM), Edwin Starr, Mark Stent, Marius De Vries and Pete Tong. Jez has also presented shows for radio stations such as Radio 1, XFM, Galaxy, Kiss and Ministry of Sound. Utah Saints have produced two number one sample packs, the theme for the number one movie "Mortal Kombat" and produced over 40 remixes ranging from Girls Aloud and Annie Lennox to Bring Me The Horizon and DJ Fresh.

Willis continues to produce music professionally and performs regularly. In 2019 he DJ-ed at Ministry of Sound, many festivals, and also performed his music with the 50 piece Opera North orchestra to 4000 people in Millennium Square in Leeds. In 2021 he composed music for a trailer for a Ridley Scott HBO series and has been commissioned for a video game soundtrack.

Current Teaching

  • MA Music Production

Research Interests

Jez is particularly interested in the links between academia and industry, and various educational models which can improve connections between them. He is also interested in the profile and accessibility of music in schools.

Jeremy Willis, Part-time Lecturer