Lecturer of Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television

Instruments/Expertise: Film Scoring, Orchestration

(213) 821-4192 phone
(213) 740-3217 fax
bradmuzic@aol.com
MUS 305

Biography

Brad Dechter, a graduate of Yale College (BA in Music) and Yale University School of Music (MM in Saxophone Performance) has recently returned to his first love, straight-ahead jazz, with the formation of his Brad Dechter Octet, featuring many greats of the Los Angeles-area jazz scene as well as his wife, vocalist Maureen Smith Dechter. He counts his father, as his main teacher (he was a successful jazz and classical trombonist as well as a revered teacher in the LA Public School System for over 30 years). Mentors such as Ellington trumpeter Bill Berry, Kenton trumpeter Buddy Childers, copyist/orchestrator/ trumpeter Stan Sheldone, and composer Alf Clausen gave him experience and caring advice on how to succeed not only as a complete musician but also in the Hollywood Studio scene. He has enjoyed working with many great composers such as James Newton Howard, John Debney, Marc Shaiman, Trevor Jones, David Newman, Jerry Goldsmith, & Lee Holdridge.

Brad's extensive ear-training in jazz gave him the tools to "breakthrough" in the film business, his first gigs primarily being "sound-alikes". Training the new generation of musicians is a high-point for Brad, having a son who is an accomplished composer, violinist, and guitarist.

Recent credits include:  The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Batman: The Dark Knight and Swing Vote.  Up next:  Hotel for Dogs, My Best Friend's Girl and Defiance.