Biography
Justin Hurwitz, born January 22, 1985 in Los Angeles, California, is an acclaimed American film composer and television writer best known for his long-standing collaboration with director Damien Chazelle. Raised in a creative household—his mother was a ballet dancer and his father a writer—Hurwitz began piano lessons at age six and was composing music by ten. His family relocated to Wisconsin in 1998, where he attended Nicolet High School before enrolling at Harvard University. There, he joined the Harvard Lampoon and formed the indie-pop band Chester French with Chazelle, foreshadowing a partnership that would define his career.[1][4][8]
Hurwitz’s professional breakthrough came with the jazz-infused score for Chazelle’s debut feature, 'Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench' (2009), followed by the intense rhythms of 'Whiplash' (2014). His lush, melodic compositions for 'La La Land' (2016) earned him two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, and a BAFTA, cementing his reputation as a leading voice in contemporary film music. Hurwitz is noted for his meticulous approach, personally orchestrating his scores and drawing inspiration from classic Hollywood musicals, jazz, and European film composers. His subsequent work on 'First Man' (2018) and 'Babylon' (2022) further showcased his versatility and commitment to musical storytelling.[1][2][5][6]
Hurwitz’s musical style is characterized by a blend of jazz, classical influences, and innovative orchestrations, often featuring memorable melodies and intricate harmonies. His legacy is closely tied to the resurgence of original film musicals in the 21st century, and his work continues to inspire both audiences and fellow composers.[1][4][5]
Fun Facts
- Hurwitz does all his own orchestration for his film scores, a rarity among major film composers.[5]
- He was an original member of the Harvard Lampoon and played in the indie-pop band Chester French during college.[1][4]
- Hurwitz and Chazelle’s creative process for 'La La Land' involved hundreds of piano demos, with many songs being rewritten or discarded until they found the perfect fit.[5]
- His mother was a professional ballet dancer, and his multicultural heritage includes Russian, Polish, Syrian, and Lebanese roots.[1]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Professor Joshua Fineberg - Harvard professor who guided Hurwitz in orchestration and score analysis during an independent study. (Independent study on orchestration, analysis of 'Pictures at an Exhibition') [2005]
- Professor Stewart - Harvard music professor who influenced Hurwitz’s harmonic approach, encouraging melodic treatment of harmonies and use of dissonance. (Music theory and composition classes at Harvard) [Early 2000s]
Key Collaborators
- Damien Chazelle - Director and college roommate; Hurwitz has scored all of Chazelle's films. (Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench, Whiplash, La La Land, First Man, Babylon) [2009–present]
- Benj Pasek and Justin Paul - Lyricists for the songs in 'La La Land'; Hurwitz composed the music. (La La Land) [2016]
- Chester French (band) - Indie-pop band formed at Harvard with Chazelle and others. (Early band performances at Harvard) [Early 2000s]
Artists Influenced
- Contemporary film composers - Hurwitz’s success with original musicals and jazz-influenced scores has inspired a new generation of film composers to explore similar genres. (Influence seen in post-2016 film musicals and jazz scores) [2016–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2016-12-09 | Album |
| First Man (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2018-10-12 | Album |
| Whiplash (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2014-10-07 | Album |
| La La Land (Original Motion Picture Score) | 2016-12-09 | Album |
| Babylon (Music from the Motion Picture) | 2022-12-09 | Album |
| Whiplash (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition] | 2020-03-27 | Album |
| Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench (Original Soundtrack Album) | 2017 | Album |
| Pianoverse | 2020-05-24 | Album |
| Viergefühl | 2019-11-10 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Mia & Sebastian’s Theme (La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
- Planetarium (La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
- Armstrong Cabin (First Man (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
- Epilogue (La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
- Engagement Party (La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
- Herman’s Habit (La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
- Summer Montage / Madeline (La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
- City Of Stars (Humming) (La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
- The Armstrongs (First Man (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
- The End (La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
justin hurwitz has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2025 | 23:40 | voodoo mama | Kitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady |