Episode 036: Mark Isham
Episode 36 of The Blank Canvas Podcast with Mark Isham.
Classically trained. Pioneer of electronic music. One of the jazz greats. Combine this with his willingness to create new musical worlds, working in virtually any medium or genre, well, it’s the perfect alchemy for a film and television music composer.
Originally from NY City, Mark Isham studied piano and violin, but the trumpet captured his imagination and became his signature instrument. By the age 15 was playing in jazz clubs, while performing San Francisco symphony.
In the early 80’s Mark began experimenting with electronic music and quickly gained notoriety for his work in the new age genre, the self titled Mark Isham album won a Grammy award and Grammy nominations for the follow up albums Castalia and Tibet.
Mark collaborated with the likes of Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock; his Blue Sun album and Miles Remembered: The Silent Way Project and the ARIA award nominated Bittersweet album with Kate Ceberano, are regarded with awe in the jazz world.
Mark Isham’s signature trumpet sound is heard on albums of music icons including Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Ziggy Marley, Joni Mitchell, The Rolling Stones, Chris Isaak, and Van Morrison.
Mark has scored films for the most acclaimed directors; Robert Altman, Robert Redford, Jodi Foster, Sydney Lumet, Frank Darabont, John Ridley, Gavin O’Conner and Brain De Palma
Movie highlights include Oscar-winning movies Crash, A River Runs Through It, Warrior, Judas and the Black Messiah. Along with Golden Globe winning Bobby and The Black Dahlia.
Recent TV highlights include Once Upon a Time, American Crime, Little Fires Everywhere (which he garnered Mark's sixth Emmy nomination), Godfather of Harlem and HBO’s The Nevers.
Prolific doesn’t even begin to describe Mark’s creative output; Over 400 movies & television series scored, 4 billion $ box office gross of movies scored, created over 200 albums, over 200 nominations and 57 major awards.
This is an insight into the mind and process of a musical genius. Mark shares his experience working with Robert Redford, Jodi Foster and Aussie directors Gillian Armstrong & Scott Hicks - and we get to play some of his music!
The Nevers - Binge / Foxtel (Australia)
Godfather of Harlem - Stan (Australia)
Bittersweet - Mark Isham / Kate Ceberano (all major music platforms)
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THE BLANK CANVAS TEAM
Produced by Lee Rogers & Rien MacDonald.
Audio support by Jason Murphy/GASinc
Music by Rodrigo Enrique Bustos.