Jon Brion - Step Brothers, Punch-Drunk Love, Magnolia

In a decade, JON BRION's (Music) film music career has developed in exponential proportions. Brion is a singer, songwriter, composer, music producer, and instrumentalist. As a performer, he plays an instrument or two ... or three ... or four ... or even five, simultaneously on stage. With his multifaceted musicianship and knack for improvisation, Brion has become popular in both the music and film industry.

As a film composer, Brion recently scored and wrote songs for the comedy film I (heart) Huckabees. In 2006, he composed the score to The Break Up. He also composed the score to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, for which he received a Best Score nomination by the World Soundtrack Awards. Additionally, Brion also composed scores for the recent films Punch-Drunk Love (2001) and Magnolia (1999), the latter of which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Score.

High in demand as a producer and studio musician, Brion often finds himself working with a number of major industry names, collaborating with artists that include Kanye West, Dido, Macy Gray, Rufus Wainwright, The Crystal Method, Jude Cole, Susanna Hoffs, Sam Phillips, and the Eels. Brion contributed much of the sound on Aimee Mann's two solo albums and produced Fiona Apple's debut album "Tidal." He also produced much of Apple's second album.
In addition to his collaboration with top artists, Brion as a performer has released his own work. His first solo album, "Meaningless," was released in 2001. He had previously released "Ro Sham Bo" with his former band, the Grays, which included popular Jellyfish guitarist Jason Falkner.

As a live performer, Brion is well known for his live one-man improvisational act at the famous West Hollywood nightclub Largo. Every Friday night for the past eight years, fans and newcomers have come to see Brion's popular show, which consists of his multi-instrumental performance, song improvisations (often mixes of songs shouted from the audience), and eclectic cover versions of songs by Cheap Trick and the Beatles.

Brion's versatile talent is no surprise. His father was director of Yale's concert and marching bands, and his mother was a singer for various jazz bands. After leaving his hometown of New Haven, Connecticut, Brion moved to Boston. In Boston, he fine-tuned his melodic and improvisational skills, eventually leading to periodic studio work in California, where he eventually moved in the '90s.

Brion is currently in the studio recording a second solo album.

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