finetune artist: James Newton Howard

b. 9 June 1951, Los Angeles, California, USA. Although he is regarded as a prolific composer of film music, Howard began his musical career as a musician (keyboards, synthesizer, mellotron) during the 70s, and played on record sessions with rock artists such as Ringo Starr, Neil Diamond, Melissa Manchester, Harry Nilsson, Neil Sedaka, Yvonne Elliman and Boz Scaggs. From 1975-80, he was member of Elton John's Band (Mark II), and served as his studio arranger. Howard, and another American, bass player Joe Passarelli, were part of the new John line-up which was introduced to the 75,000 crowd at Wembley Stadium in 1975. He was on Elton John's Rock Of The Westies, Blue Moves, 21 At 33 and The Fox (1980) and, in the same year, played at John's free concert in New York's Central Park to an estimated audience of 400,000. Howard was also a member of the band, China, and John produced one of their albums. In the 80s Howard began composing music for films. His first feature credit, Ken Finkleman's comedy Head Office, was followed by Wildcats (co-composed with Hawk Wolinski), Never Too Young To Die, 8 Million Ways To Die, Nobody's Fool, Tough Guys, Campus Man, Five Corners ("an appropriately moody score"), Russkies, Promised Land, Off Limits, Some Girls, Everybody's All-American, Tap, a tribute to tap dancing, starring Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jnr. in the latter's last feature film; Major League and The Package (1989). In the 90s, Howard became known as "hot" in Hollywood, with his scores for movies such as Pretty Woman, Flatliners, King Ralph, Marked For Death, Guilty By Suspicion, Dying Young, Three Men And A Little Lady, Coupe De Ville, The Man In The Moon, My Girl, American Heart, A Private Matter (television), Grand Canyon, Diggstown, Glengarry Glen Ross, Night And The City, Alive, Falling Down, The Fugitive, Dave, and The Saint Of Fort Washington (1993). His status was not diminished when Barbra Streisand chose him to replace UK composer John Barry on The Prince Of Tides (1991). He also composed the theme for television's ER and added to his credits The Postman, Snow Falling On Cedars, Mumford, Runaway Bride, Dinosaur, The Prince Of Tides, My Best Friend's Wedding, The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Vertical Limit.

Listen to James Newton Howard at Finetune.

(2009) Primal Fear
(2007) The Lookout
(2007) Restoration: Original Score from the Motion Picture Soundtrack
(2007) The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(2006) Atlantis: The Lost Empire
(2006) Lady In The Water
(2006) Dinosaur
(2005) King Kong
(2004) The Village
(2004) Hidalgo

King Kong
What Are You Asking Me?
Theme From E.R.
Prologue
Beautiful

gator1972 on 2007-12-17 09:07:46.770:
Does anyone happen to know how I can get a copy of James Newton Howard and Friends...I believe it's a Sheffield Lab Compulation...Thanks !!!