J. Ralph

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J. Ralph
Born 1975
New York City
Occupations Composer, singer-songwriter, producer, engineer, mixer, arranger
Instruments Vocals, guitar, synthesizer instruments, drums, bass guitar
Years active 1997–present
Labels Lava, Atlantic Records, Universal, Rumor Mill Records
Website www.jralph.com

Josh Ralph[1] — usually credited as J. Ralph — (born 1975) is an American composer, producer, singer/songwriter and social activist.[2][3][4] His professional career began when he was signed to Atlantic Records at the age of 22 as a recording artist.[5] He is the founder of the music production company The Rumor Mill,[6][7][8] and has written and produced the music for numerous artists[9] and has received a number of Grammy and Academy Awards.[10] His music has sold more than 10 million records world wide and has charted in over 22 countries.[2]

Music career[edit]

Described by The Hollywood Reporter as the "go-to producer of documentary film scores",[11] J. Ralph has mostly produced music for documentaries.[12] Over the last seven years, he has written and produced the music for six Oscar nominated documentary feature films including Man on Wire (2009),[13] The Cove (2010),[14] Hell and Back Again (2012),[15] Chasing Ice (2013),[11][16] Finding Vivian Maier (2015), and Virunga (2015). For his contribution to Chasing Ice, J. Ralph received an Oscar nomination for his song "Before My Time", performed by Scarlett Johansson and Joshua Bell.[17] It remains one of only six songs (along with his song Manta Ray from Racing Extinction 2015) from a documentary ever to be nominated for an Oscar. Additionally J. Ralph is the first composer in Academy Award's history to write and produce the original music for multiple Oscar nominated documentary films in the same year.

J. Ralph is a self-taught musician and founded the production company The Rumor Mill.[18] He has recorded two albums, The Illusionary Movements of Geraldine and Nazu (2005) and Music to Mauzner By (1999), the latter under the moniker "Spy".[19][20] He has also written for live performance, with 2008's "Fanfare for the Uncommon Ellie and Mr. Greene" performed by the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus.[21] For the Academy Award nominated documentary Virunga J. Ralph wrote and produced the song "We Will Not Go" which was performed by 3 of Africa's most famous music legends: Youssou Ndour, Salif Keita, and Fally Ipupa. For the project he traveled across 3 continents (Africa, Europe, USA) while writing and recording the song in 5 different languages. [22]

J. Ralph was commissioned by Discovery and Volkswagen to write an original symphonic piece for shark week 2015 called "Theodora" to raise awareness for species extinction, oceanic preservation, and sharks. It featured Grammy award winning violinist Joshua Bell, The London Symphony Orchestra and London Voices, the piece was recorded at Abbey Road studios in London.[23]

Performances[edit]

On August 1, 2015 J. Ralph created the music for the Projecting Change art instillation event on the Empire State Building in NYC to raise awareness worldwide for species extinction. The event was organized by Louie Psihoyos as part of the Racing Extinction documentary. All of the images and lighting were choreographed in synch with the original songs J. Ralph wrote and produced for the film including "One Candle" which was written and performed by J. Ralph and Sia and "Manta Ray" written and performed by J. Ralph and Antony (of Antony and the Johnsons). It was the first time the owner of the Empire State Building and New York City officials ever allowed projections onto the building.[24]

On Saturday, February 22, 2014 J. Ralph was invited to perform a special concert with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra in Colorado. The orchestra performed several of his works including his Oscar Nominated song "Before My Time" which J. Ralph sang.[25]

Collaborations[edit]

J. Ralph has written and produced songs in collaboration with artists such as Sia, Wynton Marsalis, Liza Minnelli, Willie Nelson, Antony Hegarty (of Antony and the Johnsons), Joshua Bell, Karen O (of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's), Ezra Koneig (of Vampire Weekend), The London Symphony Orchestra, The London Voices, The PS22 Chorus, Youssou Ndour, Salif Keita, Fally Ipupa, Sean Lennon, Philippe Petit, Dr. John, Devendra Banhart, Stephen Stills, Carly Simon, Vincent Gallo, David Garza, Ben Harper, Scarlett Johansson, Bob Weir (of the Grateful Dead), Aston "Family Man" Barrett (of Bob Marley & The Wailers), Matisyahu, KRS-One, Paul Brady, Bonnie Bramlett, Vashti Bunyan, Martin Carthy, Judy Collins, Lila Downs, Nic Jones, Norah Jones, Leah Siegel and Ben Taylor.[26][27][28][29][30][31][32]

Filmography as composer[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "whose given name is Josh" "J. Ralph: Ad Tune Master" by Melissa Block, NPR, June 22, 2005
  2. ^ a b Neale, April (July 3, 2015). "Shark Week Theodora Soaring Symphonic Score by J Ralph Debuts". monstersandcritics.com. Monstersandcritics. 
  3. ^ "J. Ralph Could Make Oscar history". The Hollywood Reporter. 
  4. ^ "OSCARS: Reactions To Academy’s Nominations". Deadline. Retrieved 10 January 2013. 
  5. ^ Kurutz, Steven (February 15, 2011). "A Prodigy's Second Act". The Wallstreet Journal. 
  6. ^ Sun, Rebecca (2013-03-13). "Oscar-Nominated Songwriter Signs With WME". Hollywood Reporter. 
  7. ^ "Volkswagen Adverts & Commercials Archive BIG DAY". Advertolog. 
  8. ^ "Volkswagen Squares". We Love Ad. 
  9. ^ "J. Ralph on Chasing Ice". ASCAP Playback. 
  10. ^ "Discovery Channel: Debut world premiere of Theodora - original symphonic work by composer J Ralph". Multi Channel News. Retrieved December 17, 2015. 
  11. ^ a b Carlson, Erin (February 20, 2013). "Oscars 2013: Best Song Contender J. Ralph on Scarlett Johansson's 'World-Class' Singing Voice". Hollywood Reporter. 
  12. ^ "Interview…Composer J. Ralph on Documentaries, Real Life Heroes and the Call to Action – GoSeeTalk.com". goseetalk.com. Retrieved 2015-12-17. 
  13. ^ "Nominees & Winners for the 81st Academy Awards". Nominees & Winners. AMPAS. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
  14. ^ "Nominees & Winners for the 82nd Academy Awards". Nominees & Winners. AMPAS. Retrieved March 7, 2010. 
  15. ^ "Nominees and Winners for the 84th Academy Awards". Nominees & Winners. AMPAS. Retrieved February 26, 2012. 
  16. ^ "Nominees for the 85th Academy Awards". Nominees & Winners. AMPAS. Retrieved February 24, 2013. 
  17. ^ Rosenbloom, Etan (2012-11-23). "J. Ralph on Chasing Ice". Playback. 
  18. ^ Block, Melissa (2005-07-22). "J. Ralph: Ad Tune Master (4:55)". NPR. 
  19. ^ "Illusionary Movements of Geraldine and Nazu". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 April 2013. 
  20. ^ Bush, John. "Spy". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 April 2013. 
  21. ^ Zuck, Barbara (November 9, 2008). "Soloists, premiere cap energetic night". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 26 April 2013. 
  22. ^ "J. Ralph Could Make Oscar History" (Article & Online Video). The Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter. 
  23. ^ "Discovery To Feature New Music By Composer J. Ralph". thehollywoodreporter.com. The Hollywood Reporter. 
  24. ^ Roston, Tom. "Illuminating the Plight of Endangered Species, at the Empire State Building". New York Times. NY Times. Retrieved July 29, 2015. 
  25. ^ "Boulder Philharmonic Celebrates 10 Years Of BIFF". 
  26. ^ Barker, Andrew (2010-11-18). "Ralph’s score veers to the vulnerable". Variety. 
  27. ^ "Wretches & Jabberers Soundtrack". Wretches & Jabberers Official Website. 
  28. ^ "INTERVIEW: J.Ralph". Globecat. Globecat. Retrieved 2009-04-30. 
  29. ^ Jeffries, David. "Matisyahu Spark Seeker (Credits)". Crossroads. Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-07-17. 
  30. ^ Florino, Rick (2011-10-19). "J. Ralph Talks "Hell and Back Again"". Artist Direct. 
  31. ^ "illuminating the plight of endangered species at the empire state building". NYTimes.com. NY TIMES. 
  32. ^ "Shark Week To Feature New Music From Composer J. Ralph". Billboard.com. Billboard. 
  33. ^ "J. Ralph IMDB". 

External links[edit]

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