It's always nice to revisit your own musical roots. After doing a bunch of film-related stuff, I finally got a chance to work on some good ol' Jazz. I had the pleasure to lend a hand to fellow UM alumnus and composer extraordinaire Veigar Margeirsson for his concert with the Reykjavík Big Band. Veigar has quite a name for his trailer music work... but he's also a true Jazzer. Really swinging charts. My only regret is that I could not travel to Iceland to catch the concert!
The Snow Queen 3: Fire & Ice
It sure has been a busy Spring! I have been very fortunate to work with composer Fabrizio Mancinelli on the third episode of the Snow Queen franchise. Trolls, snow and adventures sure call for some exciting music: Fabrizio's action-packed score is a brilliant fit. This is the first animation movie that I've had the pleasure to orchestrate, and it has been a real blast. The movie will come out in December of 2016, can't wait to see the finished product.
Here's a cool article about the movie (Animation Magazine).
Miracles from Heaven
Earlier this year I had the great pleasure to work as lead orchestrator and music programmer on Miracles from Heaven. Composer Carlo Siliotto wrote a truly amazing score to accompany this beautiful, heartfelt movie (definitely bring tissues to the theater!). The music was recorded entirely in Los Angeles, so it was a great chance to meet and be around some of Hollywood's veteran recording musicians -I got to hear funny anecdotes to fill a lifetime. A big thank you to Carlo for making me a part of the music team, and to director Patricia Riggen for making it all happen.
38th Downbeat Student Music Awards
Congratulations to all the students and faculty at Frost for their awesome work! It was an honor to be recognized as an engineer by Downbeat Magazine. A big thank you to my colleagues, friends and mentors. None of it would have been possible without their invaluable help! I am very proud to share this award with many incredible fellow UM students/alumni.
2015 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award →
I am pleased to announce that I have been selected as one of the recipients of the 2015 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer awards. The entering composition, L'Alba sui Quartieri, is a musical tribute to the city of Naples, where I was born and raised.
I would like to thank the wonderful ensemble who played on the track. Neil Carson (tenor sax.) Gene Knific (piano), Carlos DeSoto (guitar), Gary Thomas(bass), Ben Falle (drums), Arianne Urban, Steffen Zeichner (violins), Amanda Diaz Kathryn Severing (violas), Joy Adams, Chris Young (cellos). Huge thanks to Gary Lindsay for his mentorship and pencil pushing.
Congrats to all my friends -Gene Knific, Rafael Piccolotto de Lima and Josh Plotner- who also received the award!