Disney Pixar’s new film Soul feels more adult-centric, exploring themes such as aging, jazz and souls than its previous efforts – probably explaining why Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross from Nine Inch Nails provided its original score.
Jon Batiste created jazz compositions and arrangements found throughout Earth while creating the score that transitions from The Great Before.
Jon Batiste
Jon Batiste, best known as bandleader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, has composed music for Disney+’s new Pixar film Soul. This has received critical acclaim and Batiste is no stranger to success in music industry; his album We Are has even won him a Grammy! Additionally, Batiste is active in philanthropy and education – recently releasing a song that commemorates Black History month.
His music blends jazz, R&B and classical influences. He has collaborated with some of the biggest names in entertainment including Stevie Wonder, Billie Holiday and Ed Sheeran; was featured artist on several albums; is regularly seen at world renowned music venues; wrote for Broadway; directed New Orleans Jazz Orchestra etc.
As well as his role as musical director of the Late Show, Batiste has also been heavily engaged with philanthropy and music education. He established the Jon Batiste Foundation which provides funding for youth music education programs in New Orleans as well as mentoring young musicians in Brooklyn through mentoring sessions as well as teaching at Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra and Brooklyn Music School.
New Orleans-born pianist Jae-Lee Lee’s ambitious pop album is World Music Radio, an ambitious pop project which defies genre boundaries while sending a powerful message of inclusivity for today’s fractured political environment. Lil Wayne, K-pop girl group NewJeans and rapper JID all appear as guests on its tracks.
Walt Disney Records will also release a vinyl edition. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross provided some ethereal elements, while Batiste composed the remainder. Jamie Foxx stars as Joe Gardner a middle school band teacher devoted to music; Joe Gardner must choose between two distinct worlds as his life unravels – with music helping bring this story alive!
Trent Reznor
Trent Reznor is best known as the creator of Nine Inch Nails, an industrial rock band he pioneered. However, his many television and film scores with Atticus Ross as his longtime composing partner come to mind as well as their iconic Woodstock set performed during that notoriously muddy summer. However, Disney movie fans might be taken aback to discover Reznor collaborating on a jazz-related children’s movie together!
Soul, the new animated feature featuring Jamie Foxx as a middle school music teacher who dreams of becoming a jazz musician before dying in an accident, explores this theme through its journey in the afterlife to find peace and purpose, with jazz playing an integral role. The soundtrack provides another key component.
Pixar’s Soul marks Reznor and Ross’ first Disney score; however, they have long since established an impressive track record as soundtrack composers, having composed soundtracks for movies like Patriots Day, Mank, Mid90s, Bird Box and Empire of Light.
Reznor and Ross’ work on this latter film was particularly remarkable because it broke from their signature electronic genre to create something more playful and ethereal. One cue called “The Great Before/U Seminar” features both jazz-like scale work as well as classic Nintendo sounds. Recently in an interview with Heroic Hollywood, Reznor explained their process for scoring films by listening closely and understanding where filmmakers are coming from – an approach they also employ when scoring films together.
Reznor and Ross may have come as a surprise when asked to work on the score for a Disney film, yet their efforts proved them as masters of their craft. While comparing children’s film with some of the darker, violent movies NIN has produced is difficult, the results speak for themselves.
Atticus Ross
Atticus Ross is a London-born, Los Angeles-based composer and musician who has been active since the mid 1990s on various projects. Starting off as a programmer working on albums by Tim Simenon and Barry Adamson before co-founding 12 Rounds with Claudia Sarne he released their first album Jitterjuice through Polydor in 1996 and soon after Trent Reznor signed them to his label Nothing Records which released My Big Hero that same year. Ross also worked as studio musician producing tracks for artists including Korn, Coheed and Cambria as well as Loverman among many others.
Ross and Reznor collaborated on numerous high-profile films, such as David Fincher’s Gone Girl (for which they won an Academy Award), The Social Network, and Mank (the biopic of film screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz). They have also composed music for television programs like Late Show with Stephen Colbert and HBO’s True Detective.
Pixar’s 2020 animated film Soul features two talented duos who came together to craft an aural landscape of two worlds. Jazz pianist Jon Batiste played the opening scene, while Reznor and Atticus Ross provided ambient score segments representing celestial world where Joe Gardner (main character in story) finds himself after plunging down a manhole.
The result of all this effort is an award-worthy score that’s both familiar and contemporary, one which could garner Oscar nominations this year. It features more expansive sound design than recent Pixar releases like Toy Story or A Bug’s Life; plus it covers multiple musical genres.
Soul has now released its soundtrack featuring music by Reznor and Ross as well as Batiste’s jazz compositions and arrangements – it is definitely worth listening to!
Cora Champommier
Cora Champommier, who voices Connie in Pixar’s new animated movie Soul, boasts an extensive acting resume. She previously performed in Broadway show Annie as well as Little Miss Sunshine movie. Additionally, she can be found starring on television shows such as Family Guy, American Dad! and Dancing With the Stars.
She boasts an array of musical talents, from singing and piano playing to violin playing and flute playing. She feels deeply connected to music and cherishes it dearly; her passion shines bright as she pursues her goals in life – serving as an example and inspiration to young girls and boys who share this interest and want to pursue a career as singers or pianists themselves.
Soul’s music is an integral component of its story, and its creators knew exactly what they were doing when crafting its soundtrack. Jon Batiste composed jazz songs for scenes set in New York City while Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross composed an instrumental score for scenes taking place in The Great Before. Their goal was to ensure an authentic experience while keeping their work accessible for young children.
This film is full of heart and is an ode to music’s transformative power. A creative yet playful interpretation of life after death with human souls depicted as cute powder-blue dollops of energy; directed and written by Pete Docter and Kemp Powers who collaborated on Inside Out.
Cora Champommier maintains an active social media presence, often appearing at events in Los Angeles. She updates both Instagram accounts and her Twitter page regularly with new photos and videos; additionally, she is frequently invited as a guest on television and radio talk shows.
She excels not only at acting and voiceover roles, but is also an experienced musician and composer with an eclectic repertoire. Her versatile singing voice allows her to perform many styles. She would make an excellent asset to any film project.