A KID LIKE JAKE

Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Priyanka Chopra and Octavia Spencer

Directed by Silas Howard

This score was very satisfying collaboration between myself and the filmmakers: director Silas Howard, who became a good friend and for whom I later scored Darby And The Dead; with star and producer Jim Parsons, and his team of Eric Norsoph and Todd Spiewak, and with the outstanding music supervisor Linda Cohen. We spent some very fruitful sessions in my studio, listening to music and all offering input. One memorable day I sat at the piano and improvised an entire score from top to bottom in the style of the Ethiopian pianist and nun Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou. It was an affecting demonstration that brought excited smiles from everybody. But ultimately we abandoned that approach and landed on this organic classical folk sound, leaning on my trustworthy Yairi Alvarez acoustic guitar, piano, Stratocaster, and some luminous electronic enhancements. To me it sounds like autumnal Brooklyn, with dappled trees in a city park, or a winter urban landscape muted by fresh snow.

These five beautiful tracks represent a portion of the entire score. Expertly brought to life by mix engineer Michael Perfitt, this collection plays like an album, gentle, evocative and contemplative. I am grateful that Silas cut the film with enough airspace to allow the musical score to breathe and flourish.