John Powell (film composer)
John Powell (born 18 September 1963) is an English composer, best known for his scores in motion pictures. He has been based in Los Angeles since 1997 and has composed the scores to over fifty feature films. Powell is also known for composing eight animated films for Blue Sky Studios, such as Robots (2005), the second three Ice Age films (2006-2012), Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! (2008), the Rio films (2011-2014), and Ferdinand (2017).
John Powell | |
|---|---|
 Powell in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 18 September 1963 London, England, United Kingdom |
| Origin | East Sussex, England, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Film scores |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, conductor, producer |
| Instruments | Piano, percussion |
| Years active | 1990–present |
His work on Happy Feet, Ferdinand and Solo: A Star Wars Story has earned him 3 Grammy nominations. He was nominated for an Academy Award for How to Train Your Dragon.[1]
Powell was a member of Hans Zimmer's music studio, Remote Control Productions, and has collaborated frequently with other composers from the studio, including Harry Gregson-Williams and Zimmer himself.
Early life and education
John Powell was born on September 18, 1963 in London, United Kingdom. As a child, John Powell played the violin and viola. Powell's skill in the violin allowed him to study at the trinity College of Music in London. Powell played for "Faboulistics", an amateur rock and roll band.[2] After finishing college, he composed music for commercials, which led to a job as an assistant to the composer Patrick Doyle on several film productions, including Much Ado About Nothing.
Career
In 1995, Powell co-founded the London-based commercial music house Independently Thinking Music, which produced scores for more than 100 British and French commercials and independent films.
Powell's first film score was for the 1990 film Stay Lucky. He moved to Los Angeles in 1997 and scored his first major film, Face/Off. This was followed by Antz in 1998, the first film produced by DreamWorks Animation which he co-scored with fellow British composer Harry Gregson-Williams. Two years later the two collaborated again to compose the score to Chicken Run, and again the following year on Shrek, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. All subsequent Shrek films however, have been scored solely by Gregson-Williams. During 2001 he also scored Evolution, I Am Sam, Just Visiting, and Rat Race.
In 2002 Powell was hired to score The Bourne Identity, after Carter Burwell left the project, and has gone on to score all of director Doug Liman's subsequent films. He also returned to score the other two films in the series, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, which were both directed by British director Paul Greengrass.
Following the Bourne films, Powell collaborated with Liman again to score the 2005 film Mr. & Mrs. Smith. That year, he also scored Robots, going on to score all but one of subsequent films by Blue Sky Studios.
In 2006, he scored Greengrass' United 93. He also composed music for Ice Age: The Meltdown, following David Newman, who scored the first Ice Age film, as well as X-Men: The Last Stand, and Happy Feet, for which he won a Film & TV Music Award for Best Score for an Animated Feature Film. The following year he scored The Bourne Ultimatum. In 2008 he collaborated with composer Hans Zimmer to score Kung Fu Panda, and also wrote music that year for Jumper, Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!, Hancock, and Bolt. In 2009 he scored the third film of Ice Age series; Dawn of the Dinosaurs.
In 2010, Powell composed the score to How to Train Your Dragon. This was his sixth score for a DreamWorks Animation film, although the first where he composed the whole score himself. It also became his first work to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Score. That year, he has also scored Greengrass's Green Zone, and Knight and Day.
In 2013, he took a sabbatical year from film scoring. In April 2014, following the completion of his scores to sequels Rio 2 and How to Train Your Dragon 2, he announced his decision to take another break to compose concert music, including a 45-minute oratorio to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of World War I. The piece, named "A Prussian Requiem", premiered on 6 March 2016 at The Royal Festival Hall, London with José Serebrier conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra and a libretto by Michael Petry.[4]
John Powell worked with John Williams to compose the scores for Solo: A Star Wars Story, released in May 2018.[5]
Powell also composed How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, which released in theatres February 22, 2019 in the United States.
Discography
| John Powell discography | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | 7 |
| Soundtrack albums | 61 |
Television
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1989–1993 | Stay Lucky | |
| 1996–1997 | High Incident |
1990s
| Year | Title | Director | Studio(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Face/Off | John Woo | Paramount Pictures (North America) Touchstone Pictures (International) |
N/A |
| 1998 | With Friends Like These... | Philip Frank Messina | Miramax Films | N/A |
| Endurance | Leslie Woodhead Bud Greenspan |
Walt Disney Pictures | N/A | |
| Antz | Eric Darnell Tim Johnson |
Pacific Data Images DreamWorks Animation DreamWorks Pictures |
Co-composed with Harry Gregson-Williams | |
| 1999 | Forces of Nature | Bronwen Hughes | DreamWorks Pictures | N/A |
| Chill Factor | Hugh Johnson | Morgan Creek Productions Warner Bros. Pictures |
Co-composed with Hans Zimmer |
2000s
2010s
2020s
| Year | Title | Director | Studio(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The Call of the Wild[9] | Chris Sanders | 20th Century Studios 3 Arts Entertainment |
Additional Music by Batu Sener & Paul Mounsey |
| 2021 | Locked Down[10] | Doug Liman | AGC Studios Storyteller Productions Warner Bros. Pictures HBO Max |
|
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Category | Notes | Label | Catalogue Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Hubris: Choral Works by John Powell[11] | Classical | First release on John Powell’s own label, 5 Cats Studios.
Performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra. |
5 Cat Studios | FCS001 |
| 2020 | Piano Solos from "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World"[12] | Solo Piano | With Batu Sener as pianist. | FCS005 | |
| Piano Solos from "The Call of the Wild" | |||||
| Forces of Nature (Music from the Motion Picture) | Score | Limited 1000 CDs release.
Co-composed with Oliver J. Lieber The first awaiting official score album since the 1999 film debut. Includes 2 bonus tracks/demos. |
5 Cat Studios, La-La Land Records | ||
| How to Train Your Dragon (The Deluxe Edition) | Deluxe Edition.
Includes alternate versions and demos. |
5 Cat Studios, Varèse Sarabande | |||
| Solo: A Star Wars Story (Deluxe Edition) | Deluxe Edition.
Includes over 2 hours of original/unedited music as written for the film, and an end credits suite. Han Solo Theme & Original Star Wars Music by John Williams. Additional Music by Batu Sener, Anthony Willis & Paul Mounsey. |
5 Cat Studios, Walt Disney Records | |||
| Film Suites Vol. 1 | Classical | Performed with Jose Serebrier, Philharmonia Orchestra, and The Philharmonia Voices. | 5 Cat Studios |
Awards and nominations
Awards
- 1998 ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films – Face/Off
- 1999 ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films – Antz (with Harry Gregson-Williams)
- 2001 ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films – Chicken Run (with Harry Gregson-Williams)
- 2001 Annie Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music Score an Animated Feature Production – Shrek (with Harry Gregson-Williams)
- 2002 Ivor Novello for Best Original Film Score – Shrek (with Harry Gregson-Williams)
- 2002 ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films – Shrek (with Harry Gregson-Williams)
- 2003 ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films – The Bourne Identity
- 2004 ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films – The Italian Job
- 2005 ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films – The Bourne Supremacy
- 2006 ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films – Mr. & Mrs. Smith
- 2006 ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films – Robots
- 2007 Ivor Novello for Best Original Film Score – Ice Age: The Meltdown
- 2009 Annie Award for Best Music in an Animated Feature Production – Kung Fu Panda (with Hans Zimmer)
- 2009 Annie Award for Best Music in an Animated Television Production or Short Form – Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five (with Henry Jackman and Hans Zimmer)
- 2010 Ivor Novello for Best Original Film Score – Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
- 2011 Annie Award for Best Music in an Animated Feature Production – How To Train Your Dragon
- 2011 Ivor Novello for Best Original Film Score – How To Train Your Dragon
- 2011 IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for an Animated Feature – How To Train Your Dragon
- 2011 IFMCA Award for Film Score of the Year – How To Train Your Dragon
- 2015 Annie Award for Best Music in an Animated Feature Production – How To Train Your Dragon 2
- 2015 IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for an Animated Feature – How To Train Your Dragon 2
- 2015 IFMCA Award for Film Music Composition of the Year – for "Flying With Mother" from How to Train Your Dragon 2
- 2016 ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films – Jason Bourne
- 2017 ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films – Ferdinand
- 2018 ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films – Solo: A Star Wars Story
- 2018 IFMCA Award for Film Score of the Year – Solo: A Star Wars Story
- 2018 ASCAP Award for Film Score of the Year – Solo: A Star Wars Story
- 2018 ASCAP Award – Henry Mancini Award
- 2018 IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror Film – Solo: A Star Wars Story
- 2019 World Soundtrack Awards - Public Choice - How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
- 2019 Hollywood Music in Media Awards - Original Score - Animated Film - How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
- 2020 IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for an Animated Feature – How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Nominations
- 1998 Saturn Award for Best Music – Face/Off
- 1999 Annie Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature Production – Antz (with Harry Gregson-Williams)
- 2000 Annie Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature Production – The Road to El Dorado (with Hans Zimmer, Elton John and Tim Rice)
- 2001 Ivor Novello for Best Original Film Score – Chicken Run (with Harry Gregson-Williams)
- 2001 Saturn Award for Best Music – The Road to El Dorado (with Hans Zimmer)
- 2001 Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards for Best Original Score – Chicken Run (with Harry Gregson-Williams)
- 2002 BAFTA Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music – Shrek (with Harry Gregson-Williams)
- 2002 Saturn Award for Best Music – Shrek (with Harry Gregson-Williams)
- 2005 Golden Satellite Award for Best Original Score – Alfie (with David A. Stewart and Mick Jagger)
- 2005 World Soundtrack Awards for Best Film Composer of the Year – The Bourne Supremacy
- 2005 World Soundtrack Awards for Best Original Film Score of the Year – The Bourne Supremacy
- 2006 World Soundtrack Awards for Best Film Composer of the Year – Ice Age: The Meltdown
- 2007 Saturn Award for Best Music – X-Men: The Last Stand
- 2007 Annie Award for Best Music in an Animated Feature Production – Ice Age: The Meltdown
- 2007 BAFTA Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music – Happy Feet
- 2007 World Soundtrack Awards for Best Film Composer of the Year – Happy Feet
- 2008 Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media – Happy Feet
- 2008 World Soundtrack Awards for Best Film Composer of the Year – The Bourne Ultimatum
- 2008 Satellite Award for Best Original Score – Horton Hears a Who!
- 2008 Saturn Award for Best Music – The Bourne Ultimatum
- 2009 Saturn Award for Best Music – Jumper
- 2009 Annie Award for Best Music in an Animated Feature Production – Horton Hears a Who!
- 2010 Annie Award for Music in a Feature Production – Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
- 2010 World Soundtrack Awards for Best Film Composer of the Year – How To Train Your Dragon, Green Zone, Knight & Day, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
- 2011 Saturn Award for Best Music – How To Train Your Dragon
- 2011 BAFTA Award for Best Original Music – How To Train Your Dragon
- 2011 World Soundtrack Awards for Best Film Composer of the Year – Mars Needs Moms, Rio, Kung Fu Panda 2 (with Hans Zimmer)
- 2011 Academy Award for Best Original Score – How To Train Your Dragon
- 2013 Ivor Novello for Best Original Film Score – Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
- 2014 Saturn Award for Best Music – How to Train Your Dragon 2
- 2015 IFMCA Award for Composer of the Year – How to Train Your Dragon 2
- 2016 Ivor Novello for Best Original Film Score – Pan
- 2017 IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for an Animated Feature – Ferdinand
- 2018 Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition – "Mine Mission" from Solo: A Star Wars Story (with John Williams)
- 2018 Grammy for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella – "Madrid Finale" from Ferdinand
- 2019 World Soundtrack Awards for Best Film Composer of the Year – How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
- 2020 IFMCA Award for Film Score of the Year – How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
- 2020 The Society of Composers And Lyricists Award for Outstanding Original Score for a Studio Film – How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
References
- "From Gigli to Oscar: Composer John Powell Reacts to His Nomination". Movieline. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
- "John Powell - Composer Biography, Facts and Music Compositions". FAMOUS COMPOSERS. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- Thomson, Paul. "John Powell - Exclusive Q & A". Spitfire Audio. Spitfire Audio. Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
- "John Powell's 'A Prussian Requiem' to be performed live in London". SoundtracksAndTrailerMusic.com. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- "John Powell On Scoring The "Completely Absorbing World" of Solo: A Star Wars Story". StarWars.com. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- V., Erin (2 April 2012). "Interview: Dean DeBlois, director of 'How To Train Your Dragon'". One Movie, Five Views. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
- "John Powell to Score Untitled Han Solo Movie". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. 26 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
- "How to Train Your Dragon 3 Pushed Back to 2017". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- "Soundtrack.net".
- "John Powell Scoring Doug Liman's 'Locked Down' | Film Music Reporter". Retrieved 6 January 2021.
- "Hubris: Choral Works by John Powell (192kHz / 24-bit) « John Powell". John Powell. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
- "Film Music Reporter".
External links
Authority control  |
|---|