James Seymour Brett is an English composer and conductor.
Early career
After graduating from The Royal Academy of Music in 1997 James was immediately hired by composer Michael Kamen. James’ further contribution to film scores includes writing collaborations with Kamen on features such as The Event Horizon, What Dreams May Come, The Iron Giant, Frequency, X-Men, and the mini series, Band of Brothers produced by Steven Spielberg. In this period James also co-produced and provided additional score on Paramount's Against the Ropes. In 1999 James helped produce the concert that saw Metallica pair up with The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra as assistant Musical Director. The album has since sold over 5 million copies worldwide. In 2002 James went on to plan and execute, again as assistant Musical Director and in close partnership with the BBC, Party at the Palace. This event was broadcast live to a multi-million audience worldwide with a gold CD in less than a week. James co-ordinated and arranged many of the collaborations both with traditional rock pairings and new orchestral interpretations.
Film and television
James has written extensively for film and television, including scores for TriStar Picture's Planet 51 and the 13-part NBC primetime series, Crusoe. James’ collaborative work as composer, conductor and orchestrator with Harald Kloser can be heard in the feature film2012 and the thriller Anonymous directed by Roland Emmerich. James became a part of the creative team behind the film 10,000 BC. James also scored the music for the horror feature Outpost, directed by Steve Barker. In addition, James has written, orchestrated and conducted for the 2007 releases of Transformers for DreamWorks and The Nanny Diaries for The Weinstein Company. In May 2013, James once again collaborated with Roland Emmerich on his major film White House Down. James also spent the summer working on One Chance working closely with Paul Potts and James Corden producing their vocal performances and arranging the material. James also composed the score to Stephen Frears film Lay the Favorite.
James travelled to Australia to collaborate on Walking with Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular. Working with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra he composed and conducted over 80 minutes of music to score the live arena show. The show features 20 life-size, animatronic dinosaurs, as they battle through evolution. It has recently finished a worldwide tour seen by over 8 million people in 217 cities having won numerous awards since its opening in 2007.
Disney - Imagination Parks
To mark the global relaunch of Disney's Stores, James was asked to write music designed to thrill both children and parents alike. The "Imagination Parks" introduced new interactive zones, live events and mini theatres, which opened officially in Madrid on 6 July 2011.
Batman Live
James' music can again be heard in arenas across the world in the stage show Batman Live. The score to accompany the DC superhero incorporates full symphonic forces, including choir. The show premiered in Manchester, UK in July 2011 and toured North America in 2012.
Queen's Diamond Jubilee/Party In The Palace
Working with the BBC and Gary Barlow in 2012, James composed and conducted the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II, celebrating the 60-year reign of Her Majesty the Queen alongside Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox and Stevie Wonder. James’ Diamond Jubilee collaboration followed on from the 2002 BBC ‘Party in the Palace’, where he served as Assistant Musical Director as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.
