On Feb. 1, 2004, Beyoncé performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXXVIII. The track was recorded in Los Angeles with a 69-piece AFM Local 47 orchestra contracted by Ernie Fields Jr. with Rickey Minor producing and Randy Waldman arranging. Continue reading
At once slickly modern and touched by nostalgia, The Bridge Recording stands true to its name as a testament to bridging past and present. Sparing no effort or expense, owner/engineer Greg Curtis opened the doors of his dream vision in 2010. The 6,500 square foot scoring and mixing facility houses an 1,800 square foot stage with 23 foot ceilings, two large ISO rooms and a spacious control room. Among the equipment and decor are various nods to the past, none more prominent than the behemoth Neve 96-channel console with provenance from Paramount’s historic Stage M.
Besides being the home of the USC scoring sessions and the likes of Adele and Idina Menzel, the studio records a host of today’s top TV shows including “Da Vinci’s Demons,” ”Once Upon A Time,” “Constantine,” “The Simpsons” and “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” to name just a few. At a recent “Person of Interest” scoring session, Curtis welcomed interviewer Linda A. Rapka and photographer Erik Rynearson to share how The Bridge in just a few short years finds itself as one of the hottest recording spots in town.
Tell me how you became involved in the recording industry.
I’ve been a lifelong musician, a trumpet player, since 5th grade in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. That would set the trajectory for my life in music. I still play a little bit, but I spend so much time here and am mainly at home with my family and three kids, ages 3, 5 and 7. That’s prime time for me. I want to give them as much time as I can while I can. That’s a luxury to have.
Read the full interview at listen-la.com
Concertmaster Katia Popov performs a violin solo during the recording session with the Hollywood Studio Symphony for Lior Rosner’s debut classical album, “Awake and Dream.” Photo courtesy of Lior Rosner
Since moving to Los Angeles from his native Israel, Lior Rosner has made a name for himself as a composer of rare versatility. Perhaps best known as the composer of the theme music for the “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” he has worked in film, TV and video games, and scored trailers and commercials for huge projects and brands.
A graduate of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, he studied composition and theory with composers Haim Alexander and Mark Kopytman. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a film composer. During his many years of success in this medium, he has continued to compose classical music, including chamber works that have been played by various ensembles, among them the Armadillo String Quartet and the Pacific Composers Forum.
But concert music has always been dear to Rosner’s heart, and his artistry is on full display with his new collection of vocal and instrumental works, “Awake and Dream,” released on Bridge Records. Continue reading
When setting out to cover songs by the incomparable Billie Holiday, what more of an homage could one make than to record them in the very same room as Ms. Holiday herself did over 60 years ago?
Last month, British singer/songwriter and former “X Factor” finalist Rebecca Ferguson did just that when she hopped on a plane to Hollywood and spent two days within the famed walls of Capitol Studios. A stellar group of 20 Los Angeles string musicians was contracted by Ross deRoche, who was delighted at the results.
Read the full story at listen-la.com!
Vince DeRosa tribute album pays homage to the local living legend
words by Linda A. Rapka
photos by Bonnie Perkinson
In homage to one of the greatest brass players of the Hollywood Brass Golden Era, “Hollywood Epic Brass: The Vince DeRosa Tribute Album,” an album conceived by Kevin Kaska, debuts this month.
It was from listening recently to a massive number of film scores on which DeRosa played that Kaska hatched the idea for a tribute album. “I wanted to pay tribute to one of the world’s greatest brass players still alive,” Kaska said. “Many Los Angeles brass players have him to thank for the techniques he has taught.” Continue reading
Brian Tyler scores big on the new “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie
The latest reboot of the classic “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” film series boasts an orchestral score by Los Angeles composer Brian Tyler and a 70-plus piece orchestra contracted by Peter Rotter.
On the famed Eastwood scoring stage on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, the scoring sessions took place over several days in June.
Read more and check out photos from one of the recording sessions at listen-la.com!
Rising composer Jeremy Tisser goes all out on his ‘Voodoo’ demo session
Not all demos are created equal. Rising composer Jeremy Tisser went huge for his “Voodoo” demo session, hiring a massive 84-piece orchestra of some of L.A.’s finest studio musicians.
“I believe that if you want something to happen, you must do it yourself,” Tisser said. “With all of the runaway productions, I decided to do something a little crazy and unique.”
Read the full story at listen-la.com!
In the largest session to date for new Marvel TV series “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, Los Angeles composer Bear McCreary led a 91-piece orchestra at a scoring session on Sony’s famed Barbara Streisand Scoring Stage in Culver City Dec. 16.
Peter Rotter compiled the massive orchestra comprising 36 violins, 15 violas, 12 celli, 7 basses, two each of flutes, clarinets and bassoons, three trumpets, six horns, three trombones, and oboe, tuba and harp.
Orchestra contractor Peter Rotter and composer Bear McCreary on the Streisand Scoring Stage
Marco Marinangeli led a 15-piece Local 47 orchestra at Capitol Records Sept. 13 in the final scoring session of the season for the hit NBC talent show “America’s Got Talent.”
Photos by Linda A. Rapka
Conductor/Arranger Marco Marinangeli leads a Local 47 string orchestra in the final recording session of the season for hit NBC reality series “America’s Got Talent” at Capitol Records Sept. 12.
The show, created by famously crass English reality judge Simon Cowell, from seasons one through six were broadcast live from CBS Television City in Los Angeles. In season seven the live shows were held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, and for the current eighth season, live performances moved to Radio City Music Hall in New York City. During the Capitol Records scoring session, music director Graham Stack listened in from New York via Skype.
The sounds created within the walls of Los Angeles recording studios are known around the world for the magic they bring to television and motion pictures.
#ListenLA, an education and outreach project launched by Local 47 last month, is dedicated to reminding the public of the integral role L.A. musicians play in the world of film and TV and to encourage productions to score music with AFM Local 47 musicians.
#listenLA
The Best Music is Made Here in Los Angeles