Jonathan Bell Music

Music for the Off-Broadway Play “Love Song”

Jonathan — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:48:24 +0000

Now playing at the E. 59th Street Theater until May 7th is John Kolvenbach’s witty, hip and tender play, Love Song. Â I’ve written original music for three really cool scenes in the play. Â It was a joy to work with John who, besides being a very talented writer, possesses a wicked ping-pong top spin. Â Also, big shout out to Threshold music who helped me to record the tracks. Â Thank you James and Jeremy!

Orchestration for U2 song

Jonathan — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:18:20 +0000

HBO will be showing the documentary, Burma Soldier, on May 18th. Â The soundtrack includes an acoustic version of a U2 song that features a string arrangement that I helped orchestrate. Â The arrangement is by Paul Brill. To find out more about this powerful, frightening and humane documentary, check out: https://sheffdocfest.com/films/show/4924

Music for Cello Duo!

Jonathan — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:02:16 +0000

The outstanding cello duo outfit, 2VC (www.celloduo2vc.com), is performing my three movement work, Tertium Comparationis, at the Raiskin Center For The Arts at 6th Street Community Synagogue on Sunday March 13th at 3:00PM. Â 2VC is cellists Jessie Reagen Mann and Eugene Carr- two stalwart advocates for new music. Â Thank you Jessie and Eugene and can’t wait to hear 2VC’s upcoming first release!

Wind Quartet for Shanghai-Based Design Site

Jonathan — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 16:40:40 +0000

With the engineering expertise of Brooklynite Scott Anderson and the talents of wind players Katie Scheele and Nuno Artunes, as well as the beat wizardry of Damian Wagner, I wrote a piece for wind quartet entitled, Furnishings of Waiting, to help kick off the very snazzy design site, www.spacecampworks.com based in Shanghai, China. The sketches of furniture prototypes and interior architecture are exquisite and the vibe that is created between the visuals and music is both eery and very cool.

Orchestration For Christy Turlington Documentary

Jonathan — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 17:03:58 +0000

Iâ€™m delighted to be jumping on board another project with composer Paul Brill that will involve scoring string arrangements for Christy Turlingtonâ€™s documentary,Â No Woman No Cry, which is a global look into Maternal Mortality. Christy is a passionate advocate for global maternal health and this documentary will take viewers to Guatemala, Bangladesh and Tanzania as the film hopes to raise consciousness on this issue.

New Music For Woodwind Trio

Jonathan — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:00:01 +0000

Katie Scheele, leader of the musically adventurous, Brooklyn-based woodwind ensemble, Threeds, has recently asked me to write music for her group. Katie is a marvelous Oboist who glides effortlessly and expertly among the many eclectic projects in which she is involved. A date for the event has not yet been settled. But one thing that is for sure is that there will no doubt be some special musical guests pulled from her circle of groovy performer-friends. Go Brooklyn!

Reviews of In The Next Room

Jonathan — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:50:53 +0000

“evocative original score”- Robert Cashill, Live Design Magazine

“delicate incidental music”- David Barbour, Lighting and Sound America

“celestial music”- Richard Seff, DC Theater Scene

“first-rate”- Victoria Sullivan, Culture Catch

“atmospheric…Chopinesque”- Oscar E Moore

“melancholy”- James Camner, Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test

In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play

Jonathan — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:28:30 +0000

Writing the original music for the Broadway production of Sara Ruhlâ€™s play, In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play (which ended its three month run in January), was an incredibly satisfying and intense experience. More than anything else it was a tremendous pleasure to be able to be a part of a creative team with the likes of Director Les Waters, Actors Michael Cerveris and Chandler Williams, Actresses Laura Benanti and Maria Dizzia, Costume Designer David Zinn, Set Designer Annie Smart, Light Designer Russell Champa, Sound Designer Bray Poor. What a talented and dedicated group of artists! I will not be surprised if the play gets a few Tony Award nods. Stay tuned.

Sacred Choral Work

Jonathan — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:22:20 +0000

This year will find me hunkering down to finish composing a sacred choral work to be performed at Christ Church Cathedral in Springfield, Massachusetts (date yet to be determined). CCC of Springfield, MA is well known for its first-rate music program, lead for many years by the immensely gifted music director, organist, and composer in his own right, Peter Beardsley.