Mark Isham | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Mark Ware Isham |
| Born | (1951-09-07)September 7, 1951 (age 73) New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz,electronic,new age |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instrument(s) | Piano,keyboards,trumpet |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Labels | ECM,Windham Hill,Columbia,Virgin |
| Website | isham |
Mark Ware Isham (born September 7, 1951) is an American musician and composer. Atrumpeter and keyboardist, Isham works in a variety of genres, includingjazz andelectronic. He is also a prolific and acclaimed composer offilm scores,[1][2] and has scored over 200 film and television productions since his debut in 1983.
Isham is a nine-timeGrammy Award nominee, winningBest New Age Album for his 1990self-titled album. He was nominated for anAcademy Award forA River Runs Through It (1992), and aGolden Globe Award forNell (1994). He has also been nominated for sixPrimetime Emmy Awards, winningOutstanding Original Main Title Theme Music forEZ Streets.
| External image | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Mark Isham[3]. |
Isham was born inNew York City,[4] the son of Patricia (née Hammond), a violinist, and Howard Fuller Isham, a professor ofhumanities.[5] He studiedtrumpet from a very young age, and made his professional debut at the age of 12. When he was a teenager, Isham and his family moved to theSan Francisco bay area, where he played with theOakland East Bay Symphony.
His discography is extensive and varied, including participation with artists includingDavid Sylvian, Group 87,Art Lande,Pharoah Sanders,Van Morrison,David Torn, and sessions with people likeBrian Wilson,Joni Mitchell,Terry Bozzio,Bill Bruford,XTC,[4] andSiouxsie Sioux.[6] His musical styles includecrossover jazz,post-bop,ambient,progressive electronic,chamber jazz, andnew age.[7]
He is also afilm composer, having worked on numerous films and television series, includingThe Hitcher,Reversal of Fortune,Point Break,A Midnight Clear,A River Runs Through It,Of Mice and Men,Warrior,Nell,Blade,Crash,The Black Dahlia,The Lucky One,October Sky, andOnce Upon a Time.
Isham acted as well inMade in Heaven byAlan Rudolph (1987) and directedThe Cowboy and the Ballerina in 1998.
Isham is married to Donna Isham.[8] He is aScientologist.[9][8]
Studio albums and compilations[edit]
Rabbit Ears Storybook Classics[edit]
Other[edit]
| As member[edit]
As sideman[edit]
|
| Year | Title | Episode(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Chicago Hope | "Pilot" | |
| 1996 | EZ Streets | 2 | |
| 1997 | Michael Hayes | "Prequel" | |
| 1997 | Nothing Sacred | TV series theme | |
| 1998 | From the Earth to the Moon | 2 | |
| 1999 | Family Law | 18 | |
| 2007 | The Black Donnellys | 18 | |
| 2008–2009 | Crash | 26 | |
| 2011–2018 | Once Upon a Time | 147 | |
| 2012 | Beauty and the Beast | "Pilot" | |
| 2013–2014 | Once Upon a Time in Wonderland | 7 | |
| 2015 | Blood & Oil | 10 | |
| 2015 | American Crime | 21 | |
| 2017 | Black Mirror | "Arkangel" | |
| 2018–2019 | Marvel's Cloak & Dagger | 20 | |
| 2019 | Godfather of Harlem | 10 | |
| 2020 | Little Fires Everywhere | 8 | |
| 2020 | Amazing Stories | "The Rift" | |
| 2021 | The Nevers | ||
| 2021 | Sex/Life | 8 | |
| 2022 | The Cleaning Lady | ||
| 2023 | Justified: City Primeval |
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | The Times of Harvey Milk | Rob Epstein | |
| 1985 | Portraits of Anorexia | ||
| 1985 | Rabbit Ears: The Steadfast Tin Soldier | ||
| 1990 | Tibet | ||
| 1993 | Hawaii: Born in Paradise | Robert Hillmann | |
| 1993 | Hidden Hawaii | Robert Hillmann | |
| 1998 | The Blood Tide | ||
| 1999 | Galapagos | ||
| 2001 | From the Ground Up | Laura Nix | |
| 2011 | "Morning" | Dror Soref | |
| 2017 | Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982–1992 | John Ridley |
As director
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Cowboy and the Ballerina | Mark Isham | — |
As screenwriter
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Cowboy and the Ballerina | Mark Isham | — |
As actor
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Made in Heaven | Alan Rudolph | — |
liner notes for Siouxsie's song "The Lighthouse", featuring Mark Isham on trumpet, recorded in Paris, in February 1994
