James Seymour Brett (born 3 April 1974) is an English composer and conductor.

James Seymour Brett
Background information
Born (1974-04-03) 3 April 1974 (age 50)
OriginLondon, England
GenresFilm scores
OccupationComposer
Years active1997–present
Websitejamesseymourbrett.com

Early career

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After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in 1997, Brett was immediately hired by composer Michael Kamen. Brett's further contribution to film scores includes writing collaborations with Kamen on features such as The Event Horizon, What Dreams May Come, The Iron Giant, Frequency, X-Men, and the mini series, Band of Brothers produced by Steven Spielberg. In this period Brett also co-produced and provided additional score on Paramount's Against the Ropes.[citation needed]

In 1999 Brett helped produce the concert that saw Metallica pair up with The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra as assistant Musical Director. The album has since sold over five million copies worldwide.[clarification needed] In 2002 Brett went on to plan and execute, again as assistant Musical Director and in close partnership with the BBC, Party at the Palace (part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations). This event was broadcast live to a multi-million audience worldwide with a gold CD in less than a week.[citation needed] Brett co-ordinated and arranged many of the collaborations both with traditional rock pairings and new orchestral interpretations.

Film and television

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Brett has written extensively for film and television, including scores for TriStar Picture's Planet 51 and the 13-part NBC primetime series, Crusoe. Brett's collaborative work as composer, conductor and orchestrator with Harald Kloser can be heard in the feature film 2012 and the thriller Anonymous (film) directed by Roland Emmerich. Brett became a part of the creative team behind the film 10,000 BC. Brett also scored the music for the horror feature Outpost, directed by Steve Barker. In addition, Brett has written, orchestrated and conducted for the 2007 releases of Transformers for DreamWorks and The Nanny Diaries for The Weinstein Company.

In May 2013, Brett once again collaborated with Roland Emmerich on his major film White House Down. Brett also spent the summer working on One Chance (The Weinstein Company) working closely with Paul Potts and James Corden producing their vocal performances and arranging the material. Brett also composed the score to Stephen Frears film Lay the Favorite.

Walking With Dinosaurs - The Live Experience

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Brett travelled to Australia to collaborate on Walking with Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular. Working with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra he composed and conducted over 80 minutes of music to score the live arena show. The show features 20 life-size, animatronic dinosaurs, as they battle through evolution. It has recently finished a worldwide tour seen by over eight million people in 217 cities having won numerous awards since its opening in 2007.[citation needed]

Disney - Imagination Parks

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To mark the global relaunch of Disney Stores, Brett was asked to write music designed to thrill both children and parents alike. The "Imagination Parks" introduced new interactive zones, live events and mini theatres,[1] which opened officially in Madrid on 6 July 2011.

Batman Live

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Brett's music can again be heard in arenas across the world in the stage show Batman Live. The score to accompany the DC superhero incorporates full symphonic forces, including choir.[citation needed] The show premiered in Manchester, UK in July 2011 and toured North America in 2012.

Queen's Diamond Jubilee/Party in the Palace

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Working with the BBC and Gary Barlow in 2012, Brett composed and conducted the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II, celebrating the 60-year reign of the Queen alongside Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox and Stevie Wonder. Brett's Diamond Jubilee collaboration followed on from the 2002 BBC 'Party in the Palace', where he served as Assistant Musical Director as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.[citation needed]

Credits

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Film and television

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Year Title Director Studio(s) Notes
2020 Waiting for Anya Ben Cookson Goldfinch Composer
2018 Here Comes the Grump[2] Andrés Couturier Ánima Estudios Composer
2018 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Mike Newell (director) Studio Canal Musical Director and Additional Music
2017 Eat Locals Jason Flemyng Evolution Pictures Composer
2017 Alien: Covenant Ridley Scott 20th Century Fox Orchestrator and Additional Music
2016 The Promise Terry George Survival Pictures Musical Director and Additional Music
2016 Independence Day 2: Resurgence Roland Emmerich 20th Century Fox Orchestrator
2015 Sweat David Allain Saetre Films Composer
2015 In the Heart of the Sea Ron Howard Warner Bros. Conductor and Score Arranger
2014 August: Osage County John Wells The Weinstein Company Additional Music
2013 White House Down Roland Emmerich Columbia Pictures Conductor and Orchestrator
2013 One Chance David Frankel The Weinstein Company Musical Director and Operatic Music Arranger
2012 Lay the Favorite Stephen Frears Emmett/Furla Films Composer
2012 L'Historie De Nos Petites Mort David Chidlow Campfire Stories Composer
2011 Anonymous Roland Emmerich Studio Babelsberg Conductor and Orchestrator
2009 2012 Roland Emmerich Columbia Pictures Conductor and Orchestrator
2009 Planet 51 Jorge Blanco Sony Pictures Composer
2008 Crusoe Prods. Marc Van Buuren & Justin Bodle NBC Composer
2008 Outpost Steve Barker Matador Pictures Composer
2008 10,000 BC Roland Emmerich Warner Bros. Conductor and Orchestrator
2007 The Golden Compass Chris Weitz Warner Bros. Music Arranger: End Credits - "LYRA" Performed by Kate Bush
2007 Transformers Michael Bay DreamWorks Choir Conductor
2007 The Nanny Diaries Shari Springer Berman / Robert Pulcini The Weinstein Company Orchestrator and Additional Music
2006 Die Stormflut Jorgo Papavassiliou teamWorx Produktion Orchestrator
2005 Don't Just Dream It Prod. Ben Rigden Prospect Pictures Composer
2005 Mrs. Harris Phyllis Nagy Number 9 Films Orchestrator
2005 The Island Michael Bay DreamWorks Additional Programmer
2005 Woman on the Beach Catherine McCormack Woman on the Beach Ltd. Composer
2004 Alien vs. Predator Paul W. S. Anderson 20th Century Fox Conductor, Orchestrator and Additional Music
2004 Gladiatress Brian Grant (director) Icon Entertainment Conductor and Orchestrator
2004 Ella Enchanted Tommy O'Haver Miramax Conductor, Orchestrator/ Arranger and Additional Music
2004 The Life and Death of Peter Sellers Stephen Hopkins (director) Labrador Films Arranger
2004 Hex: Seasons 1 & 2 Brian Grant (director) Sky One Composer
2004 Daniel and the Superdogs André Melançon Zephyr Films Composer
2003 TR American Lion David de Vries Greystone TV Composer

Concerts/Arena Shows

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Year Title Studio(s) Credit Notes
2018 Fast and Furious Live Universal Pictures Composer Currently touring
2016 Disneyland Tokyo: Frozen Forever Disney Composer, Arranger and Orchestrator N/A
2014 Frozen: Holiday Wish Disney Composer, Arranger and Orchestrator N/A
2012 Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations BBC Conductor, Arranger and Orchestrator Concert at Buckingham Palace
2010 Batman Live Warner Bros DC Comics Composer Arena Tour 2010-2013
2010 Disney Stores - Imagination Parks Disney Composer and Conductor First store opened in Madrid, followed by a worldwide launch.
2007 Walking with Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular BBC Composer Currently touring
2002 Party at the Palace BBC Assistant Musical Director Live concert in Buckingham Palace Gardens. Arranger/ Coordinator of Music Live beacons event
2002 2002 Winter Olympics opening ceremony NBC Co-producer, Assistant Musical Director Live event & Album
2001 EMI 'When Love Speaks' RADA Benefit Album EMI Co-Producer, Assistant Musical Director Live concert launch & Album
1999 Metallica S&M (album) Metallica Assistant Musical Director San Francisco, Berlin, New York

Commercials

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References

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  1. ^ "James Seymour Brett - Official Website". Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  2. ^ Grater, Tom (5 October 2017). "Lily Collins, Ian McShane, Toby Kebbell to voice 'Here Comes The Grump' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Media Business Insight Limited. Retrieved 18 October 2017.