Johann Christian Bach, commonly called the "English Bach", was the youngest son of Johann Sebastian Bach and Magdalene Bach. He was born in Leipzig, on September 5, 1735. He studied with his father, his brother Carl Philip Emanuel, and later with Padre Martini of Bologna. For four years, J.C. Bach was instructed in music by his older brother, and in Berlin became familiar with Italian operas. J. C. became organist at the Milan Cathedral in 1760 where he was known as the "Milan" Bach. Two years later he became the "London" Bach when he entered the service of the Queen of England. In 1764, J.C. Bach met with Karl Friedrich Abel, a pupil of Johann Sebastian Bach, and a viola da gamba virtuoso. Abel was chamber-musician to the Queen, so he came into frequent contact with J.C. Bach. For more than seventeen years, J.C. Bach and Abel held joint performances that achieved great fame for both. It was while he was music master to the Queen that Johann Christian met and instructed the young Mozart in 1764. Johann Christian Bach died in London on the first day of 1782; he was buried in the yard of St. Pancras Church in London, and the precise location of his grave is not known.

J. C. Bach's works include symphonies, concertos, chamber works, piano pieces, church works, and thirteen operas.