Filipino-Australian events director, journalist, and musician (1957?2024)
Ignatius Jones
|
---|
Birth name
| Juan Ignacio Rafaelo Lorenzo Trapaga y Esteban
|
---|
Born
| (
1957-10-24
)
24 October 1957
Singalong
,
Manila
,
Philippines
|
---|
Origin
| Sydney, Australia
|
---|
Died
| 7 May 2024
(2024-05-07)
(aged 66)
Iloilo City
, Philippines
|
---|
Genres
| |
---|
Occupation(s)
| Events director, singer, songwriter, contortionist, journalist, dancer
|
---|
Instrument(s)
| Vocals
|
---|
Years active
| 1976?2024
|
---|
Labels
| Avenue,
Festival
|
---|
Musical artist
Juan Ignacio Rafaelo Lorenzo Trapaga y Esteban
AM
(24 October 1957 ? 7 May 2024), known professionally as
Ignatius Jones
, was a Filipino-born Australian events director and journalist who fronted the
shock rock
band
Jimmy and the Boys
. From 1976 to 1982, the group pioneered the use of shock theatrics in Australia. By the end of the 1970s they were "one of the most popular live acts on the Australian scene" with Jones performing as lead vocalist and contortionist alongside Joylene Thornbird Hairmouth (born William O'Riordan) on keyboards and vocals as a
kitsch
transvestite
. In 1981, they scored their only top 10 single with "They Won't Let My Girlfriend Talk to Me", which was written by
Split Enz
leader
Tim Finn
. In 1982, after their disbandment, Jones pursued a solo career and by the mid-1980s was a member of a
swing jazz
-cabaret band,
Pardon Me Boys
, with O'Riordan and Jones' sister,
Monica Trapaga
? former
Play School
presenter. In 1990 Jones, with Pat Sheil, co-wrote
True Hip
and Jones followed it a year later with
The 1992 True Hip Manual
.
As an actor, Jones appeared on TV series including
Sweet and Sour
(1984) and
Culture Shock
(1985). He had minor roles in comedy films including
Those Dear Departed
(1987) and
Pandemonium
(1988).
For the 1992 musical film
Strictly Ballroom
, Jones sang "
Yesterday's Hero
" (original by
John Paul Young
). Jones worked with
David Atkins
on the
2000 Sydney Olympics opening
and
closing
ceremonies, which included co-directing the horse segment that launched the opening ceremony. The pair oversaw the Opening Ceremony of
Shanghai 2010 World Expo
and the ceremonies of the
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games
. In 2017, Jones was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Event Awards.
[1]
Biography
[
edit
]
Ignatius Jones was born on 24 October 1957 as Juan Ignacio Rafaelo Lorenzo Trapaga y Esteban,
[2]
in
Singalong
,
Manila
, Philippines, to a
Basque
-Chinese father, Nestor Juan Trapaga, and a
Catalan
-American mother, Margot (born 15 May 1935, nee Esteban).
[3]
[4]
[5]
Also born in Manila were two of his younger siblings, Luis Miguel and Rocio Maria (born 9 August 1962).
[3]
[5]
His paternal grandfather was a conductor while Jones' father, Nestor, was a musician playing violin, conga and bongo drums.
[6]
Jones's maternal grandfather, Luis Esteban (died 1964), was an actor and professional cartoonist, while his maternal grandmother, Mary Case Esteban (born 1908), was a caterer for state events ? including for then-President
Ferdinand Marcos
? and a
couturier
.
[5]
In January 1963, Nestor migrated to Australia via a plane flight to Sydney,
[7]
followed in March by Margot (Margaret) and their three children.
[3]
Jones' younger sister,
Monica Trapaga
, was born in 1965 in Sydney ? she was later a
Play School
presenter and children's entertainer.
[4]
[5]
Jones became a naturalised Australian in 1971, but maintained a dual Spanish-Australian citizenship. Jones grew up in
Wahroonga
and attended
St Leo's Catholic College
before switching to
St Ignatius' College, Riverview
, near the Sydney river-side suburb of
Lane Cove
.
[4]
Jones contended for
dux
of his year level with
Tony Abbott
? later
Prime Minister of Australia
; Jones struggled with mathematics but excelled in
Ancient Greek
and
Latin
.
[8]
Jones followed Monica to her dance lessons and started a theatrical career as a classical ballet dancer but switched to more contemporary music.
[8]
[9]
Jimmy and the Boys
[
edit
]
In 1976, Jones was a founding mainstay member of
shock rockers
Jimmy and the Boys
with Joylene Thornbird Hairmouth (born William O'Riordan) which formed in Sydney. The original line-up was Jones on lead vocals, Hairmouth on keyboards and vocals, Tom Falkinham on bass guitar, Scott Johnson on drums, Jason Morphett on saxophone and Andrew de Teliga on guitar.
[10]
On-stage, Jones was also a contortionist and Hairmouth was "the kitchiest [
sic
] of transvestites", other than Jones and Hairmouth, the line-up was regularly changed.
[10]
By the end of the 1970s they were "one of the most popular live acts on the Australian scene".
[10]
In 1981, they scored their only top 10 single with "They Won't Let My Girlfriend Talk to Me",
[11]
written by
Split Enz
leader,
Tim Finn
.
[10]
[12]
After issuing two studio albums and a live set, the group disbanded in 1982 with Jones set to pursue a solo career.
[10]
From Pardon Me Boys to Monica and the Moochers
[
edit
]
In April 1982, Jones issued his debut solo single, "Like a Ghost", which was written by
the Church
's frontman
Steve Kilbey
.
[10]
Jones' second single, "
Whispering Your Name
", appeared in March 1983. Both singles were "hot dance club favourites among the gay community on the American west coast".
[10]
In 1984, Jones formed Arms & Legs with Jeremy Cook on drums, Kirk Godfrey on guitar (ex-Big Red Tractor), Steve Harris on bass guitar (Passengers, Visitors) and Andrew Ross on keyboards (Ward 13) but they disbanded after a year. In 1985, Jones was a member of the
swing jazz
-cabaret band Pardon Me Boys, with O'Riordan and Jones' sister, Monica Trapaga.
[9]
[10]
As a journalist, Jones contributed to
RAM
(a.k.a.
Rock Australia Magazine
) ? starting in 1983,
The Edge
and, in June 1985 became the editor of
Stiletto
magazine.
[9]
[10]
In 1984, as an actor, he appeared in an episode of
ABC-TV
's music drama series,
Sweet and Sour
. In 1985, he appeared on
Culture Shock
for
SBS-TV
as a reporter on youth affairs and interviewer.
[9]
For the 1987 comedy film,
Those Dear Departed
, Jones acted in the role of Phil Rene alongside stars
Garry McDonald
and
Pamela Stephenson
.
[13]
For the 1988 campy comedy film,
Pandemonium
, he portrayed a marriage celebrant and supported
David Argue
in the lead role.
[14]
In 1990 Jones, with Pat Sheil, co-wrote
True Hip
and Jones followed it a year later with
The 1992 True Hip Manual
.
[15]
[16]
On the soundtrack for the 1992 musical film
Strictly Ballroom
, Jones performed
John Paul Young
's song "Yesterday's Hero", and the
Spanish dance
-flavoured "Rhumba de Burros".
[17]
In 1997 he co-directed, with Trapaga, a children's
video
,
Monica's Seaside Adventure
, by Monica and the Moochers with Peter Cox and George Washingmachine.
[18]
In 1999, he directed
Monica's Trip to the Moon
by Monica and the Moochers with McKaw, Fridge, Compost Bin and Dr. Wango Tango.
[19]
The track, "Old Doctor Wango Tango", was co-written by Jones and Julian Gough.
[20]
[21]
Later career: events director
[
edit
]
Jones with
David Atkins
, were the creative directors for the
2000 Sydney Olympics opening
and
closing
ceremonies, which included co-directing the horse segment that launched the Opening Ceremony. He was responsible for Sydney's Millennium Celebrations and directed its New Year's Eve and Centenary of Federation celebrations.
In 2002 with Atkins, Jones co-wrote and co-directed the stage musical
The Man from Snowy River: Arena Spectacular
. Also that year, Jones staged the Independence Ceremonies of the Democratic Republic of
East Timor
for the United Nations. In November, Jones directed the
2002 Gay Games
Opening Ceremony, he greeted the audience of 38,000 with "Australia and the gay and lesbian community is not so much a melting pot ... We are more of a mixed salad, where every part remains separate, yet adds to the wonder of the whole ... I have been lucky, I have never had to come out, I was never in".
[22]
In 2005, he produced a corporate event at the
Jeddah Economic Forum
in Saudi Arabia. Jones and Atkins worked on the ceremonies of the Doha
2006 Asian Games
. Jones and Atkins also worked on the Opening Ceremony of the
Shanghai 2010 World Expo
and the ceremonies of the
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games
. From 2011 until 2019, Jones was creative director of
Vivid Sydney
.
[23]
Death
[
edit
]
Jones died after a short illness at his home in the Philippines, on 7 May 2024, aged 67.
[24]
[25]
[26]
Awards
[
edit
]
Jones was honored with the Filipino-Australian of the Year Award 2014 by the Filipino Communities Council of Australia on the 13th Annual Conference gala night in Parramatta City, New South Wales.
[27]
At the
2019 Australia Day Honours
, he was appointed
Member of the Order of Australia
(AM) "for significant service to entertainment as a writer, director, author and performer."
[28]
Bibliography
[
edit
]
Discography
[
edit
]
Solo singles
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"Ignatius Jones to receive Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017"
. Australian Event Awards. Archived from
the original
on 20 March 2018
. Retrieved
3 January
2018
.
- ^
"View Digital Copy: NAA: A1197, TONKON-TREHARNE A"
.
National Archives of Australia
. 5 December 1966. p. 1957
. Retrieved
12 May
2024
.
- ^
a
b
c
"Item details for: SP908/1, American/Trapaga M"
. Department of Immigration, New South Wales Branch. National Archives of Australia. 9 March 2000. pp. 1, 3, 5
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
Margaret Trapaga [American ? first arrived Sydney per aircraft VH-EBA, 20 March 1963. Multiple arrivals. Box 41]
- ^
a
b
c
Shmith, Michael
(18 May 2003).
"The Can-Can Can-Do Man"
.
The Age
. Retrieved
28 March
2023
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
Trapaga, Monica
(26 October 2009).
"Introduction"
.
She's Leaving Home: Favourite Family Recipes for a Daughter to Take on Her Own Life Journey
. illustrated by Meredith Gaston.
Camberwell
:
Penguin Books
.
ISBN
978-1-92138-206-2
. Archived from
the original
on 20 November 2015.
- ^
Coslovich, Gabriella (10 May 2003).
"Punk Maestro"
.
The Age
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
- ^
"Item details for: SP908/1, Spanish/Trapaga Nestor Juan"
. Department of Immigration, New South Wales Branch.
National Archives of Australia
. 30 April 2009
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
Nestor Juan Trapaga [Other nationality: Born in the Philippines, Spanish ? Arrived Sydney per Aircraft 30 January 1963]
Note: If required user may need to initiate a new search. First select 'Home', then 'Search the collection', 'RecordSearch ? Basic Search'. Enter 'Trapaga' and select details for 'SP908/1, Spanish/Trapaga Nestor Juan'.
- ^
a
b
Simons, Polly (24 May 2011).
"Interview: Ignatius Jones, Executive Director of Vivid Sydney"
.
NorthSide
. News Community Media (
News Corporation
)
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
"Ignatius Jones"
. Australian Jazz Agency (Leslie Moore). Archived from
the original
on 18 March 2012
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
McFarlane, Ian
(1999).
"Encyclopedia entry for 'Jimmy and the Boys'
"
.
Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop
.
St Leonards
:
Allen & Unwin
.
ISBN
1-86448-768-2
. Archived from
the original
on 3 August 2004
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
- ^
Kent, David
(1993).
Australian Chart Book 1970?1992
.
St Ives
: Australian Chart Book Ltd.
ISBN
0-64611-917-6
.
Note: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until
Australian Recording Industry Association
(ARIA) created their own
charts
in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970?1974.
- ^
"
"They Won't Let My Girlfriend Talk to Me" at APRA search engine"
.
Australasian Performing Right Association
(APRA)
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
[
permanent dead link
]
- ^
"
Those Dear Departed
? Cast, Crew, Director and Awards"
. Movies & TV Dept.
The New York Times
. Archived from
the original
on 30 January 2013
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
- ^
"
Pandemonium
? Cast, Crew, Director and Awards"
. Movies & TV Dept.
The New York Times
. Archived from
the original
on 30 January 2013
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
- ^
True Hip
/ Ignatius Jones with Pat Sheil; illustrated by James De Vries
. Catalogue.
National Library of Australia
. 1990.
ISBN
9780869141908
.
- ^
The 1992 True Hip Manual
/ Ignatius Jones
. Catalogue. National Library of Australia. 1991.
ISBN
9780869142523
.
- ^
"
Strictly Ballroom
[CBS] ? Original Soundtrack"
.
AllMusic
. 1992
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
- ^
"
Monica's Seaside Adventure
[videorecording] / Written by Monica Trapaga & Julian Gough; Produced by Monica Trapaga; Directed by Ignatius Jones & Monica Trapaga"
.
Music Australia
. National Library of Australia. 8 September 1997
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
A clever mix of wacky fun and adventure, participating and listening songs that appeal to young imaginations, from a frolic on the beach to a magical trip beneath the sea
.
- ^
"
Monica's Trip to the Moon
[videorecording] / Directed by Ignatius Jones; Producer, Monica Trapaga; Written by Monica Trapaga and Julian Gough"
. Music Australia. National Library of Australia. 25 January 2005
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
Monica and her friends, McKaw, Fridge, Compost Bin and Dr. Wango Tango go on a singing and dancing adventure to the moon
.
- ^
"
'Old Doctor Wango Tango' at APRA search engine"
.
Australasian Performing Right Association
(APRA)
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
[
permanent dead link
]
Note: Jones is given as J Trapaga.
- ^
"ACE Title Search: 'Old Doctor Wango Tango'
"
.
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
(ASCAP)
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
[
permanent dead link
]
Note: Jones is given as John Ignatius Trapaga.
- ^
Hacker, Peter (2002).
"Glittering Show Opens Gay Games"
.
Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender News. Ambush Mag
. Vol. 20, no. 23. Ambush Inc. Archived from
the original
on 24 February 2013
. Retrieved
12 June
2012
.
- ^
"Vivid Sydney Creative Director Calls Time"
(PDF)
. Retrieved
24 July
2019
.
- ^
Luff, Bryce (8 May 2024).
"Australian rock star and Jimmy and the Boys frontman Ignatius Jones dies aged 67"
.
7NEWS
. Retrieved
5 June
2024
.
- ^
Cashmere, Paul (8 May 2024).
"R.I.P. Ignatius Jones AM of Jimmy and the Boys and Pardon Me Boys"
.
Noise11.com
. Retrieved
5 June
2024
.
- ^
"
'He wasn't like everyone else': Shock rock frontman Ignatius Jones remembered"
.
ABC News (Australia)
. 8 May 2024
. Retrieved
5 June
2024
.
- ^
"Ignatius Jones named Fil-Australian of the Year"
.
ABS-CBN News
. Retrieved
17 April
2019
.
- ^
"Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia"
(PDF)
.
Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General
. Archived from
the original
(PDF)
on 15 March 2019
. Retrieved
17 April
2019
.
- ^
Kent, David
(1993).
Australian Chart Book 1970?1992
(illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 161.
ISBN
0-646-11917-6
.
External links
[
edit
]