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composer, Verge Films
Los Angeles based film composer James Guymon is quickly rising as one of the top young talents in the motion picture industry. Blending classical concert composition techniques with a clear narrative style and cutting edge technology, Mr. Guymon’s music is both sophisticated and accessible. His unique approach seamlessly integrates aural colors and textures with traditional musical elements – whether orchestral or synthesized, while still featuring stirring melodies that tie stories together in traditional ways. James’s knowledge of filmmaking and understanding of narrative makes him a true asset in the process of serving the film’s needs while still creating a musical work with form and style.
Mr. Guymon’s musical education has been diverse. While living in New Mexico, James studied with Michael Mauldin, a New Mexican concert composer known for his mystical orchestral depiction of the southwest. Later, he learned the craft of commercial composition as the personal assistant to Benjamin Carson of RUB MUSIC (www.rubmusic.net), a Santa Monica based music production company specializing in high end commercial music. While assisting Mr. Carson, James was able to help with high profile cues for various productions including theatrical trailers and television spots. James turned the corner into film with the mentorship of celebrated film composer Christopher Young (Runaway Jury, The Hurricane, Swordfish, The Shipping News, Spiderman 3.) In addition to his work in media, Guymon continues to write for the concert stage and has been performed and recorded by world-class orchestras such as the Kiev Philharmonic and the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. The recipient of multiple ASCAP Awards and a Masterworks Prize for his art music, Mr. Guymon is an artist on the ERM Media label with distribution with Naxos, the world leader in classical music.
Mr. Guymon is affiliated with ASCAP, and is represented by Verge Films. In his spare time he is an avid chess enthusiast, and is a member of the United States Chess Federation and is an honorary Life Member of the Los Angeles Chess Club. James Guymon graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy, with an emphasis in formal logic, and is fascinated by epistemology. He lives in Long Beach, CA with his supportive wife, Amber.
Music Composer, Sound Engineer
Verge Films
John Avarese began studying classical piano at the age of five and by age seven was performing recitals with established music ensembles. His classical training culminated with a degree in music theory from Temple University.
As his career progressed, Avarese continued to play piano for many musical groups, successfully adhering to their dissimilar, even contrasting styles. In the 1980s, he became a session player for a prominent recording studio in Philadelphia where he learned recording industry technology and began musical scoring for corporate videos. Soon after, he established JAV, a music production studio.
A professional composer since 1986, Avarese has created scores for planetariums, museums, short films, documentaries and corporations, as well as television spots for PBS, CBS, Discovery Channel, Nickelodeon and Oxygen networks.
He has recently worked on the special Surviving Katrina for the Discovery Channel, the feature film The 4th Dimension, CBS’s NFL Today and the PBS animated special A Room Nearby.
Avarese is currently composing music for My Dog Tulip, based on the book by J.R. Ackerley; slated for theatrical and home video release in 2008, directed and animated by Paul Fierlinger.
composer, Verge Films
Wayne Gerard is a Detroit based award-winning composer who is quickly establishing himself as one of the premier young composers of contemporary music production. His work spans writing and producing jazz and pop songs, DVD behind-the-scenes documentaries, TV and radio spots, episodic television, film soundtracks, animation and other projects that demand great musical talent and skill in a vast array of musical genres.
Wayne studied composition and arranging at Wayne State Univiersity where he was awarded the prestigious Liberace Scholarship award for composition. He worked as a staff producer with FBT/Web, the record label/production company started by the Bass Brothers, the Oscar and Grammy winning duo behind Eminem and his mega-hit 'Lose Yourself'.
WG has worked on projects and remixes for Madonna, Garbage, Tony Yayo, Young Buck, Pitchshifter, Peter Gabriel and Dr. Fink from Prince's band as well as producing, performing, programming or playing on projects featuring Eminem, Obie Trice, D12, Paradime, King Gordy, Kid Rock, Project Deadman, Abstrakt Intellekt, KEM, Bob James, Dave McMurray, Alexander Zonjic, Stevie Wonder, Warren HIll, David Sanborn, Grover Washington, Geri Allen, Lenny White, Marion Meadows, Earl Klugh and Kirk Whalum to name a few. He was the Number 1 Jazz artist on MP3.com in 1998 and one of only 30 artists out of 750,000 to have gotten a million downloads on MP3.com before it was acquired by Universal.
WG co-wrote the title track of jazz legend Bob James' new CD 'Urban Flamingo', as well as writing and producing for Kid Rock DJ Paradime ('Mr. Dime' and 'Better Days') and Eminem protege King Gordy (the rock/rap banger 'Stress'). Wayne's music has been featured on the MTV shows 'Punked', Run's House, Big and Rob, Pimp My Ride and Can't Get a Date as well as music for The Weather Channel, Discovery Channel and History Channel.
Incidental music of Wayne's can be heard in the movies 'Eastern Tide', 'Lust for Love' and he composed the full score for the motion picture 'Waiting On Alphie'. He is now writing for the new motion picture 'Dream House', which is in production through Chinimble Lore Productions. Wayne has just signed on to do 'Among the Shadows' for Hark Pictures. Wayne's music has been featured on the MTV shows 'Punked', Run's House, Big and Rob, Pimp My Ride and Can't Get a Date as well as supplying music for The Weather Channel, Discovery Channel, History Channel and many others.
He also does clinics/demos for Panasonic's new audiophile car system, which is designed in conjunction w/ Fender.
composer, Verge Films
Born and raised in the onion fields of Tolleson, AZ (20 miles west of Phoenix) this third generation Mexican-American cut his teeth on R&B, Jazz, Fusion, Mexican Heritage and Latin influenced pop of the late 60’s and 70’s. A few years removed from high school, Joey landed a major record deal with Island Records ~ Antilles New Direction (NY). The Album On The Rocks, was a melting pot of Funk, R&B and the fusion sounds of the mid 80’s. At 23, Joey Navarro was in on the birth of contemporary jazz. Concurrently, Joey toured with recording artists as a keyboardist and musical director.
After years of honing his skills world-wide, Joey returned home to sabbatical with teacher “El Maesto” Ernesto Chavarria. While completing his 4 year tutelage under Chavarria, Joey found the road and stage calling him yet again as he hit the circuit both as a leader and side-man for the likes of Recording Artists and bands, Tierra, Caribe L.A., Deniese Williams, Peaches & Herb, Malo, (Sly, Slick, & the Wicked), The Escorts, Delfonics, Heatwave, Persuaders, Percy Sledge, Greg Adams, Tom Scott, Sister Sledge, Ersi Arvizu, Ry Cooder, Jim Keltner, Ronn Moss, Dawn Robinson (En Vogue), Jennifer Page, Khani Cole, Jay Smith, Marion Meadows, Jeff Kashiwa, Nelson Rangell, Brian Bromberg, Eric Marienthal, and Richard Smith amongst others.
In his six years in L.A. he has performed in the local jazz scene with his own group, NAVARRO, which has featured legendary musicians such as, Joey Heredia, Tal Bergman, Lenny Castro, Rene Camacho, Oskar Cartaya, Johnny Sandoval, Brian Allen, and Brandon Fields. In 2006, Joey created Jonavar Productions. It’s a state of the art musical production facility located in the heart of North Hollywood. Joey got the opportunity to co-write the bulk of the tunes for Epitaph/ Anti recording artist, “Ersi Arvizu’s new CD entitled, “Friend for Life”. This is an autobiographical musical journey about her amazing life. It was produced by Ry Cooder. Basic tracks were cut at Jonavar Productions. Worldwide release date is May 9th, 2008.
Joey also produced new recording artist, Kyle Wolverton’s new CD entitled, “Soul Groove”. for Smooth Ride Records. This great CD features the talents of Abraham Laboriel, Joey Heredia, Vail Johnson, and a host of other fine musicians. Currently producing actor/ songwriter, Trevor Donovan. Joey’s latest endeavor is being the keyboardist for Super Group, “EAST BAY SOUL”, This amazing group features, Greg Adams & Lee Thornburg on trumpets, Tom Scott & Johnny Bamont on saxes, Vocalist, Phil Perry, Johnny Sandoval on percussion, James Wirrick on guitars, Brian Allen on Bass, Evan Stone on drums & Joey Navarro.
composer, Verge Films
The innovative and animated imagination of musician/composer Ken Joseph was born under the influence of Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, Johnny Mandel and Jerry Goldsmith and John Williams. Scoring music for film, television, and new media has emerged as the ideal expression of this imagination, and serves to compliment his craft.
Throughout his formative years Ken remained immersed in the orchestral inspirations of Holst, Debussy, Ravel, Richard Strauss, and Tchaikovsky while receiving extensive training in the techniques of the Masters. At 14, his piano professor, Matt Michaels (who founded the Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media program at Detroit’s Wayne State University) encouraged Ken to get out and play so he could “learn on the bandstand” while enhancing his studies in music theory.
This valuable guidance brought a unique level of experience and confidence to Ken’s work at an early age and allowed him the freedom to incorporate the influences of the internationally revered professionals that he performed with on many occasions. Most importantly, it gave him the opportunity to earn a living as a musician while flourishing as a conductor and arranger for big bands and orchestras. He later attended the Center of Creative Studies Conservatory and graduated from Wayne State University where he studied Composition and Jazz.
For years Ken has accompanied vocalists and written arrangements for private and commercial projects which have enhanced his interest and expertise in composition. The work brought him the chance to conduct smaller ensembles in the recording studio.
Sound design became the next challenge to master and added yet another facet of musical expertise to Ken’s resume. The opportunity to work with sound engineers, and a fascination for computer technology, enhanced his proficiency for “sync to picture” techniques. This became consequential to the direction he took as a composer.
“Creating a great score brings a fresh dimension to the project. It pays tribute to all the elements of the story while giving unique emotional accompaniment to the plot. It is not always noticeable from an audience perspective, but is always unforgettable.” Ken’s recent film score for the short film, “The Pitch”, won a Gold Medal of Excellence at the 2008 Park City Film Music Festival.
Ken has performed with jazz greats such as Jon Faddis, Rick Margitza, Doc Severinsen, Marvin Stamm, and Paul Anka. He has also appeared in various jazz festivals around the world, including the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
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