Mark McKenzie & Paul McCartney working together at the famed Abbey Road Studios.
Honored to work with the greatest violinist of our generation Joshua Bell on my latest score MAX AND ME. I admire Joshua’s artistry more than any other because of the depth of expression in each note and phrase. And…thanks for letting me hold your Stradavarius Joshua.
L-R Respected New Hampshire Artist Craig Pursley, Composer Mark McKenzie, Varese Sarabande President Robert Townson. The “Circle of Inspiration” art exhibit: 38 beautiful paintings inspired by Mark McKenzie’s music were exhibited at the Tirage Fine Art Gallery in Pasadena, CA
Legendary Academy Award winning composer Jerry Goldsmith with Mark McKenzie. I found part of the genius in Jerry’s music came from the heart and humanity of this master. It was a great honor to have orchestrated his last 6 films and composed the long action sequence in “The Last Castle.”
Lady Gaga is a talent for the ages. After meeting her, I found myself admiring not just her incredible artistry, but her humanity
I found it a great honor to receive the Arvella Schuller Performing arts Award alongside singer, songwriter, author Rebecca St. James. It’s easy to admire this woman, her music, books, and inner beauty.
Executive Producer Rick Eldridge, Director Michael Landon Jr., Mark McKenzie at final sound mix for THE ULTIMATE LIFE. Two film makers I admire and enjoy working with in the same room on a beautiful project. Couldn’t have been happier.
Early on I composed the music to MY FAMILY / MI FAMILIA directed by Gregory Nava. It is there I first met Mary Steenburgen who I grew quickly to admire and love.
Legendary Composer Jerry Goldsmith discussing the music to “THE LAST CASTLE” on the famed CBS Radford Todd AO Recording stage. Mark McKenzie Composed the climactic 7 minute action sequence in this film called “Prison Uprising.” (photo by Rick Baptist)
After 17 movies together, we finally posed for a picture. I orchestrated his classic Nightmare Before Christmas, Academy Award nominated scores Men in Black and Good Will Hunting, and blockbusters like Mission Impossible, Spiderman 1 and 2 and Batman Returns.
Mark McKenzie performing rare solo concert of original music in Lake City, Minnesota
Conductor Gordon Johnson with Composer Mark McKenzie at Abbey Road Studios recording the music to MAX AND ME.
LIBERA Boys choir w/ Mark McKenzie after LIBERA’s appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Libera sings Benedictus Deus and Ascension among other things on “The Greatest Miracle / El Gran Milagro”
Mark McKenzie speaking to orchestra before recording “The Ultimate Life”
Told the story of composing bombastic music for the birth of a bloody, slimy, violent Warlock and asking myself , What am I doing? My agent at the time told me I’d never work in Hollywood again if I quit. I finished it with my best work and learned that while horror flicks are fun musically, I wanted to focus on composing for films that were more artistic, compassionate, and substantive. Nice gift to get affirmation from respected peers Jeff Beal, Cliff Eidelman, Harry Manfradini and Cliff Martinez who could relate.
As a member of the Motion Picture Academy Composers Branch at a Harvey Weinstein Oscar party, I thanked U2’s Bono for his international philanthropic work. Bono got very serious, grabed both arms, looked me in the eyes sincerely and said: “Thank you, that means a lot to me.” I admire this man’s artistry and humanity.
Pierre Boulez was the music director of the The New York Philharmonic, the greatest living French Composer and one of the powerful musical intellects of the time. His worry was that he’d unconsciously copy someone else’s music when he composed. His solution was to use complex mathematics as a way of choosing notes, formal structure and other aspects of his music. A kind thoughtful man, he challenged my thinking. (L-R Pierre Boulez, Composers Mark McKenzie and David Janello)
Patricia Sullivan who mastered “The Ultimate Life” and “Dragonheart: Sorcerer’s Curse” adds warmth, clarity, punch and sonic brilliance to the music. Notice the baffles to the right. Those are 6 feet deep and keep the bass from bouncing around the room and damaging the listening environment.
The Greatest Miracle: L-R Gregorio Núñez, Alberto Binetti Randieri, Bruce Morris, Paty Garcia-Peña, Pablo Barroso, Mark McKenzie
Mark McKenzie with high school mentors: Choral master Robert Ruberto and Arranger, Band Maestro Stephen Ritzenthaler. I thank these men on almost every soundtrack because their influence is everywhere in the music. Photo by Daniel Sanchez
Composer Mark Mckenzie with Director Bruce Morris at 20th Century Fox Newman Scoring Stage Mixing The Greatest Miracle / El Gran Milagro which Doug wrote and directed.
It’s always a privilege to work with legendary recording engineer Armin Steiner. He has recorded and / or mixed most everything I’ve composed in the past 15 years. It’s rare to find engineers who know the orchestra as intimately as this former child prodigy violinist. His work includes John Williams, Barbara Streisand, Bread, The Carpenters, Thomas Newman etc…
Dragonheart: A New Beginning has heart because of director Doug Lefler. Remember the iconic moment of Spiderman kissing Jane upsidedown? That was just one of Doug’s many doodlings. These days his creativity helps Steven Spielberg. Doug’s story telling genius, humor and brilliant cartoons are on full display at : http://scrollon.com/scrolling/library
Mark McKenzie
One thing that makes THE LAST SIN EATER score special is Noortje Van Middlekoop’s Pan Flute. She plays with deep sensitivity and expression.
The Greatest Miracle recording session
Mark McKenzie at 50th Anniversary Star Trek Concert performing McKenzie’s Star Trek Enterprise Horizon score with Nichelle Nichols better known as Star Trek’s Lietenant Uhura. Check out the McKenzie Suite from Star Trek Enterprise under Albums.
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