Gary DeMichele

Gary DeMichele is an American composer, film composer, musician, pianist, drummer, percussionist multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. He has been at the vanguard of multiple fronts in Jazz ,pop and though his core discipline is music ,film.as well as being very active in theatrical works have also occupied much of his focus in his career. He has spent much of his life in music and the arts and inter-disciplinary endeavors and often fruitful collaborations. His work also extends into the dance world,having worked with dance teachers and choreographers ,as well as having experience. in world and electronic music. All of these interests and influences have informed his film work. His work for film and television includes a sonically and stylistically widely varied scope of material. His film score works include the critically acclaimed,multiple award winning, culinary delight ,and, indie film favorite,'Big Night', directed by Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott. In this score he incorporates both a prominent infusion of Amercan Jazz and Italianate musical elements into the Italian-American cultural context of the film. He has created a balance of an old world and modern American and Italian-American dynamic. He had also put his melodic skills to good use having written both the 'Big Night' theme and 'Pascal's Waltz as ballad offerings for two of Big Night's key, compelling scenes. (An unedited full length version of 'Pascal's Waltz' will appear on his jazz compilation recording featuring guitarist Mike Stern, soon to be released). In his score for 'Off The Map', directed by Campbell Scott a different score in almost every way, than that of 'Big Night' ,he had met the very different visual,emotional and psychological demands of this film. Set in New Mexico, one is presented very large visual vistas that are occasionally,scored with large soundscapes. Much more frequently, however he has juxtaposed these large vistas with pare percussion motifs, sometimes even using found objects, metal bowls, stone objects,Brazilian instruments for unique sonic variety.. Employed also are several bowed instruments,including vibraphone,cymbals and pandeiro. This serves to create an aural 'picture' of some of the many textures found in this setting without rendering redundant ,or overstating. the self-evident,vast,pictorially striking elements of the natural landscape,captured wonderfully by director Campbell Scott and the great cinematographer Juan Ruiz Anchia. The aesthetic of his score, avoids mere textural mimicry,instead,highlighting the magical visual majesty ,which the backdrop and foreground of New Mexico can frequently evoke. The liberal use of percussion in this score was facilitated greatly by his skills as an experienced percussionist and performer in the recording and performance of this score. With the work of Shakespeare,of course, comes with it different aesthetic criteria ,'Hamlet' -Dir.Campbell Scott and Eric Simonsen. Here is an excerpt ,from critic Ken Eisner, regarding his score from 'Hamlet'(Dir.Campbell Scott,Eric Simonsen) ..'Also striking is Gary DeMichele's piano-and-trumpet-centered score, which offers a kind of medieval jazz commentary on the action -Ken Eisner, Variety His theatrical works include,August Strindberg's 'Miss Julie' directed by Campbell Scott. which premiered at the Williamstown theater festival in Willamstown Ma. While living in Los Angeles he has composed and performed sound design duties for the score for Tim Robbin's, Actors Gang theater production of Bertolt Brecht's 'Drums In the Night', Jon Kellam,director. (Tim Robbins Actor's Gang theatre's founder and Artistic Director). Julio Martinez-Variety 'Drums in The Night'(Actors Gang Theatre co.,artistic Director Tim Robbins (Gary DeMichele,Composer/Sound design)(Dir.John Kellam. )). '..A decided plus in this production is the compelling sound design of Gary DeMichele that constantly underscores the harrowing conditions in the world just outside the walls of our agenda-challenged protagonists. He has also composed the score for the Campbell Scott adaptation of the George Farquhar play 'the Recruiting Officer'.He has composed the score for an Eric simonsen adaptation of the play 'Orestes' by Euripides' His work other than film and theater includes sound installation,most recently for the I park 2021 Site-Responsive Art Residency & Biennale,East Haddam Ct. He also has composed music for dance and, worked with other sound design projects ,and consultation for orchestration, including Pegasus Theater Co. in Chicago. As a live performer he has played drums percussion keyboards,vocals and vibraphone,in several ensembles including,'Crayons','Quartastrophphe,'Static Disruptors' s He has played as ensemble member for theatrical shows and ensembles. He has worked with many musicians including Kenny Drew Jr.,Richard Drexler,Tim Hagans, Mike Stern,Jerry Bergonzi,Edmond Gilmore,Walt Weiskopf,Chris Collins,Laury Shelly, Suzanne Palmer,Lary Novak, and many others. HIs past recordings include two soundtrack albums, the best selling 'Big Night'album (film directed by Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci). (Varese Sarabande label) and the soundtrack recording for the film,'The Impostors' (RCA) (directed by Stanley Tucci). HIs varied studio recording experiences are extensive. He had also released a collection of material composed and arranged for dancers and choreographers, using long forms ,odd meters, percussion instruments, with ,in some cases rich harmonic underpinnings. He is currently working on two compilations of original music. One is primarily vocal music,pop influenced with some surprising sonic and lyrical twists. The other is a collection of instrumental music, primarily jazz influenced,which will feature various renowned guests including virtuoso jazz guitarist, Mike Stern, Saxophonist Walt Weiskopf,multi-instrumentalist Richard Drexler,Swedish saxophonist Jonas Granberg, Danish Bassist Jens Jefsen,Bassist Edmond Gilmore and others. Gary DeMichele spends some of his time each year overseas,including Denmark,Sweden,Italy,France and Ireland participating in tours,as composer in residence and in some instances playing live dates , especially in Copenhagen(which he loves) and Sweden. He has also has two film credits as an actor,'Hamlet' and 'Camp Hope',and has appeared in the Steppenwolf Theater stage production of 'Evelyn and the Polka King' as actor and musician ,Directed by Eric Simonsen.