Episode 79

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Published on:

12th Aug 2025

2.29 - Alex Wurman

EMMY® Award-winning composer Alex Wurman is known for his versatility and broad musical range. He has collaborated with notable directors across various genres, including Steven Conrad (Ultra City Smiths, Patriot), John August (The Nines), Jill Sprecher (Thirteen Conversations About One Thing), Adam McKay (Anchorman, Talladega Nights), and Ron Shelton (Play It To The Bone) and more.

Wurman composed the majestic, ethereal score for the Oscar®-winning film March of the Penguins, as well as the vastly different, '70s-inspired comedy Anchorman. His signature scores include eerie piano melodies for Confessions of A Dangerous Mind, contemporary minimalist music for his Emmy award-winning score for Temple Grandin, and French impressionist interpretations for Thirteen Conversations About One Thing.

Born into a musical family, Wurman's father, Hans Wurman, was a classically trained composer and a pioneer in electronic music. His mother was a beloved violin teacher, and his older siblings are all musicians in their own right. Alex credits his musical understanding and approach to both nature and nurture. His passion led him to the Academy of Performing Arts High School in Chicago, followed by studies at the University of Miami and back to Chicago at the American Conservatory of Music. Moving to Los Angeles at the age of 22, he began his career by scoring student films at the American Film Institute, which eventually led to over 100 film credits in the highly competitive Hollywood movie business.

Recently, after completing two albums, The Classical Synthesizer (a tribute to his fathers pioneering of the Moog Synthesizer), and Pianos (a celebration of multi-piano approaches), Alex continues to expand his love for musical exploration with livestream concerts showcasing his dynamic playing and improvising abilities. These concerts have received significant positive reception, connecting with audiences worldwide. Alex continues to create new content with diverse artistic collaborations. His goal is to provide art that enhances his audiences' personal journeys.

https://www.alexwurman.com/

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About the Podcast

Composer Chats
Composer Chat is a podcast where we talk a little bit about music, a little bit about life, and a whole lot about whatever we feel like at the moment! Each episode I am joined by a special guest composer and we will chat about their pathway towards success in their musical career!

About your host

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Jason Nitsch

Jason Nitsch’s music is equally at home on the concert stage, in outdoor venues, and streaming online, reaching the broadest audience of musicians, performers, and music enthusiasts possible. As a composer dedicated to the exploration of new ideas, his music has evolved over a 25-year career to incorporate more and more non-traditional elements, such as effect tracks, sound drops, and enveloping electroacoustic works combining live and pre-recorded elements. Much of his work is rooted in a large ensemble context; his wind ensemble works have received thousands of performances throughout the US including at Midwest, State Music Conferences including Texas, Colorado, and Kentucky Music Educators Associations, Colleges and Universities like Baylor University, the University of North Texas, and Syracuse University, and at other regional music festivals (ITEA).

In recent years Jason has focused on more intimate chamber musical settings, including collaborations with solo musicians such as trumpeter Kate Amrine , Cellist Carolyn Regula (The Cello Doll) and vocalist Michaela Catapano, as well as chamber groups across the US (Chicago Brass Choir), while continuing expand his sizable catalog of works for larger instrumental forces.

Jason is well known for his work as an educator, dedicated to providing young promising musicians with the foundational experiences on which a lifetime of music-making can be built, and is pursuing research into the ways that music students process their experiences as learners and performers.

Combining his long career in music with a deep love of science fiction and a natural talent for storytelling, Jason recently launched his first podcast, “Beyond the Belt: Adventures from the Outer Rim.” “Beyond the Belt” is a collection of 8 original dramatic science fiction episodes for which he served as writer, producer, and composer. It tells the story of a scientific research experiment gone horribly wrong. With Zombies (of course!).

Jason has released three digital albums in recent years, including the Season One Soundtrack from the Beyond the Belt podcast, “1000 Steps to Nowhere", a collection of chamber music compositions, and most recently “The Dead Teach the Living,” featuring nine vocal collaborations ranging from solo works to Orchestral compositions.

Jason is a lover of dogs, video games, and all things Star Wars (yes, even the prequels). He is also a husband, father of two budding musicians, and a patron of art forms that stretch traditional boundaries.

He currently lives in Waxhachie, TX with his family. He can occasionally be sighted lurking at select music conferences.