James Newton Howard

A classically trained pianist, he worked as a session musician for Diana Ross and Ringo Starr and played keyboards in Elton John's band before moving into film. He has scored eight of M. Night Shyamalan's films and replaced Howard Shore on King Kong.

Style

A chameleon: from restrained suspense to sweeping orchestral writing, often with a solo instrument in the foreground.

Awards

9 Oscar nominations and no win so far. He has a Grammy and an Emmy.

Essential films

• The Fugitive (1993)
• The Sixth Sense (1999)
• Signs (2002)
• The Village (2004)
• King Kong (2005)
• The Dark Knight (2008)
• The Hunger Games (2012)

Listen

• The Gravel Road · The VillageSpotifyYouTube
• Rue's Farewell · The Hunger GamesSpotifyYouTube
• The Sixth Sense Suite · The Sixth SenseSpotifyYouTube

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