Bio

Jonathan Hartman began his life in music at age 7, when he received a saxophone from his grandfather, Mr. Robert Morgan.   Mr. Morgan was the master engraver at King Musical Instruments, where he engraved horns for jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and many others.   Mr. Morgan inspired Jonathan’s love of music and fostered a work ethic and appreciation for developing one’s craft. Jonathan eventually learned to play multiple woodwinds and the piano, and began his professional performing and composing career at age 16.

After high school, Jonathan attended Capital University in Columbus, OH.  After taking some time off from school to perform and tour, Jonathan finished his studies, graduating Magna cum Laude from Cleveland State University with a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance. Jonathan has also studied with jazz artists George Garzone, Gary Smulyan, Clark Terry, Joe Lovano and Brian Lynch.

For years, Jonathan had an extensive performing career, playing saxophone and writing for small jazz groups, big bands, cabaret singers, Latin and Brazilian bands, Hammond B3 soul groups, R&B groups, and studio work. His performing career has taken him to every major city in the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, and France.  He maintained a private teaching studio for twelve years, training over 250 young performers.

His obsession with movies eventually led him to film scoring.  In 2006, he attended the graduate music program at New York University, where he studied film scoring with his friend and musical mentor, Ira Newborn  (Planes, Trains, & Automobiles, Naked Gun, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off).   Jonathan also studied film music editing with Tim Starnes (The Lord of the Rings, The Departed).  In 2008 he completed his Masters degree in Music Composition, Summa Cum Laude.

After moving to Los Angeles in 2009,  Jonathan began working regularly for film composer John Ottman (Superman Returns, The Usual Suspects, Valkyrie).    Jonathan scored the short films “Un Minuto” in 2010,  and collaborated with director Charles Rogers on “Oysters Rockefeller” in 2011 and “Autumn Whispers” in early 2012.

In December 2011, Jonathan completed the 75 minute original score for the feature film “The Employer”, directed by Frank Merle for Hyrax Entertainment.  ”The Employer” stars Malcolm McDowell, Paige Howard, David Dastmalchian, and features  Michael DeLorenzo and Billy Zane.  The psychological thriller is set for release in 2012.

Evocative and expressive, his writing has been noted for its its lyrical and memorable themes.  Over the last several years, Jonathan Hartman has established himself as one of the rising composers of his generation, a thoroughly modern and unique musical voice.