Randy Newman

American singer-songwriter and pianist

Randall Stuart "Randy" Newman (born November 28, 1943) is an American singer, songwriter,[1] arranger, composer, pianist and conductor. Newman is known for his voice and his composition works for the Disney Pictures/Pixar movies. He served as the new voice of the bill following the death of the original voice actor Jack Sheldon

Randy Newman
Newman at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, 2008
Background information
Birth nameRandall Stuart Newman
Born (1943-11-28) November 28, 1943 (age 81)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresPiano rock, soft rock, roots rock, comedy rock, movie score
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, arranger, musician
InstrumentsVocals, piano
Years active1961–present
LabelsWarner Bros.
Reprise
Walt Disney (Disney·Pixar films)
DreamWorks/Interscope/Universal
Nonesuch/Elektra
Websiterandynewman.com

Early life

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Newman was born on November 28, 1943, in Los Angeles, California. He was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Newman studied at University High School and at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Career

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Since the 1980s, Newman has worked mostly as a movie composer. His movie scores include Ragtime, Awakenings, The Natural, Leatherheads, James and the Giant Peach, Meet the Parents, Cold Turkey, Seabiscuit and The Princess and the Frog. He has scored seven Disney-Pixar movie: Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story 3, and most recently, Monsters University.

Awards

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Newman has been nominated for 20 Academy Awards, winning only two. He has also won three Emmys, six Grammy Awards, and the Governor's Award from the Recording Academy.[2] Newman was added to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2007, he was honored as a Disney Legend.[3] Newman was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2013.[4]

Personal life

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Newman was married to Roswitha Schmale, who was born in Germany, from 1967 to 1985, and they had three children.[5] He has been married to Gretchen Preece, with whom he has two children, since 1990. He is of Jewish descent and a atheist.

Influences

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Newman stated composers like Elmer Bernstein, Jerry Goldsmith, Maurice Jarre, Lalo Schifrin, Bernard Herrmann, Henry Mancini, Alfred Newman, Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Irving Berlin and musicians like Fats Domino, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Blind Willie McTell, Ivory Joe Hunter, Ray Charles and Mose Allison as influences.

Filmography

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References

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  1. "Desert Island Discs featuring Randy Newman". Desert Island Discs. 2008-10-19. BBC. Radio 4. Archived from the original on 2008-11-10. Retrieved 2013-11-03.
  2. "Chronology – Randy Newman".
  3. Randy Newman Disney Legend. Legends.disney.go.com. Retrieved on 2012-07-13.
  4. "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announces 2013 Inductees". Rockhall.com. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on December 14, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  5. "Randy Newman". PEOPLE.com.

Other websites

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