Misha Segal
Encyclopedia
Misha Segal is an Israel
i-born music producer and film composer.
, Israel
, weaned on jazz
(thanks to his father, a boxing referee and jazz enthusiast, friend of Louis Armstrong), and raised in Tel Aviv
, music called Misha from an early age. Yet, it wasn't until after his compulsory military service that he got his first piano and the opportunity to pursue music in earnest.
, Noam Sheriff
, and Isaac Sadai—-as well as film and philosophy at Tel Aviv University
, Misha apprenticed under 20th century master composer Dieter Schöhnbach in Germany; studied composition and conducting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
in London
; then graduated from the Berklee College of Music
in Boston
.
, Elton John
and The Beatles
. His interpretation and application of these and other western music influences to the Israeli cultural scene in the late 1960s—as arranger, composer, songwriter, producer and recording artist—was vital in the redefinition of popular theatre and film music, garnering numerous #1 hits. Furthermore, his classically-styled compositions were performed by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
and the Israel Chamber Ensemble. All this occurred at a young age (the media called him "The Wunderkind") over a short 5 years. He continues to do projects there, working with new and established recording artists as well as for film and theatre. He's currently attached to a Germany-Israel co-production—a very controversial film, which title and details will be announced soon.
("Georgy Peorgy"), Maynard Ferguson
, Nancy Wilson (jazz singer), Phyllis Hyman
and Dave Grusin
.
, he signed with Motown as a composer/songwriter, writing for their artists and scoring cult classic, Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon. The movie's love song, "First Time on a Ferris Wheel" has been a wedding favorite among American urbanites ever since.
Misha has created, composed and conducted scores in many different styles for a variety of feature films including the 1989 feature, The Phantom of the Opera
, which received wide critical acclaim for its originality and scope and maintains a [strong cult following] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejv3gGvqtWc ; as well as the all time favorite kids' movie, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
.
Also to his credit are numerous movie scores for the small screen, which earned him an Emmy award
and an Emmy nomination.
His work with up-and-coming film directors has encompassed everything from short films (Paul Ratner's King and Angel in the Rain featuring music available on Misha's Female CD) to the feature-length Un Secreto de Esperanza
, Mexican film diva Katy Jurado
's last movie.
and Bob James and featured artists Chick Corea
and Freddy Hubbard. His next CD, Connected to the Unexpected, was picked up by over 200 college stations and enjoyed heavy rotation on the top NAC stations across the country. Don't Say It's Over, produced and co-written by Misha, features vocalist Randy Crawford
. This CD spent three weeks at No. 1 on the NAC charts.
. The recording features New York musicians Will Lee
, John Tropea
, and Anthony Jackson.
, featuring Peter Hume on guitar and duet vocals. The first volume was released just a few weeks before Christmas, 2006.
's Nocturnes
and a laid back Keith Jarrett
. Female is the core of Misha's Beauty Found in Unlikely Places concert series. The concerts and the music were inspired by his mother, a woman with an unbreakable spirit who died after a 6-year battle with lung cancer on Mother's Day 2001. Through these concerts, associated media interviews and Public Service Announcements, he forwards his mission of educating the public on lung cancer awareness issues and raising the quality of life of those fighting the biggest battle of theirs.
Misha performed at the inaugural Crystal Ball to Benefit the Fight Against Lung Cancer , which raised over $120,000.00 for lung cancer research. This was an event of the Lung Cancer Alliance.
A story Misha wrote about his mother, "Elisabeth" can now be found in an anthology called Voices of Lung Cancer, published by LaChance Publishing, benefitting The Healing Project http://www.thehealingproject.org/voices.html.
When he is not making music, he is listening to it, cooking up a storm, sampling fine wines from around the world and flying single engine planes.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i-born music producer and film composer.
Early years
Born in HaifaHaifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, weaned on jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
(thanks to his father, a boxing referee and jazz enthusiast, friend of Louis Armstrong), and raised in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, music called Misha from an early age. Yet, it wasn't until after his compulsory military service that he got his first piano and the opportunity to pursue music in earnest.
Education
After studying music with composers Paul Ben-HaimPaul Ben-Haim
Paul Ben-Haim was an Israeli composer. Born Paul Frankenburger in Munich, Germany, he studied composition with Friedrich Klose and he was assistant conductor to Bruno Walter and Hans Knappertsbusch from 1920 to 1924...
, Noam Sheriff
Noam Sheriff
Noam Sheriff is an Israeli composer, conductor and arranger. Sheriff is one of Israel’s most versatile and world renowned musicians. Currently, he is the music director of the Haifa Symphony Orchestra.- Early life :...
, and Isaac Sadai—-as well as film and philosophy at Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University is a public university located in Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. With nearly 30,000 students, TAU is Israel's largest university.-History:...
, Misha apprenticed under 20th century master composer Dieter Schöhnbach in Germany; studied composition and conducting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
; then graduated from the Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
Israel
Starting out, Misha was especially influenced by jazzJazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
and The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
. His interpretation and application of these and other western music influences to the Israeli cultural scene in the late 1960s—as arranger, composer, songwriter, producer and recording artist—was vital in the redefinition of popular theatre and film music, garnering numerous #1 hits. Furthermore, his classically-styled compositions were performed by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is the leading symphony orchestra in Israel. It was originally known as the Palestine Orchestra, and in Hebrew as התזמורת הסימפונית הארץ ישראלית The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (abbreviation IPO; Hebrew: התזמורת הפילהרמונית הישראלית, ha-Tizmoret ha-Filharmonit...
and the Israel Chamber Ensemble. All this occurred at a young age (the media called him "The Wunderkind") over a short 5 years. He continues to do projects there, working with new and established recording artists as well as for film and theatre. He's currently attached to a Germany-Israel co-production—a very controversial film, which title and details will be announced soon.
New York
Misha also enjoyed a successful career in New York, writing, arranging, orchestrating and producing for such artists as Luther VandrossLuther Vandross
Luther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
("Georgy Peorgy"), Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957...
, Nancy Wilson (jazz singer), Phyllis Hyman
Phyllis Hyman
Phyllis Linda Hyman was an American soul singer and actress.-Early years:Phyllis Hyman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the St. Clair Village, the South Hills section of Pittsburgh...
and Dave Grusin
Dave Grusin
David Grusin is an American composer, arranger and pianist. Grusin has composed many scores for feature films and television, and has won numerous awards for his soundtrack and record work, including an Academy award and 12 Grammys...
.
Hollywood
Upon moving to Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, he signed with Motown as a composer/songwriter, writing for their artists and scoring cult classic, Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon. The movie's love song, "First Time on a Ferris Wheel" has been a wedding favorite among American urbanites ever since.
Misha has created, composed and conducted scores in many different styles for a variety of feature films including the 1989 feature, The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera (1989 film)
The Phantom of the Opera: The Motion Picture is a 1989 horror film directed by Dwight H. Little and based on Gaston Leroux's novel of the same name....
, which received wide critical acclaim for its originality and scope and maintains a [strong cult following] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejv3gGvqtWc ; as well as the all time favorite kids' movie, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking is a 1988 Swedish/American fantasy–adventure–musical film based on the books of the fictional character Pippi Longstocking, created by Swedish children's book author Astrid Lindgren . While the title suggests the movie is a continuation, it is in...
.
Also to his credit are numerous movie scores for the small screen, which earned him an Emmy award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
and an Emmy nomination.
His work with up-and-coming film directors has encompassed everything from short films (Paul Ratner's King and Angel in the Rain featuring music available on Misha's Female CD) to the feature-length Un Secreto de Esperanza
Un secreto de Esperanza
Un Secreto de Esperanza is a 2002 Mexican film written and directed by Leopoldo Laborde and starring Katy Jurado, Imanol, Jamie Aymerich and Ana de la Reguera. It is an example of a cinematic homage for the last screen appearance of Katy Jurado...
, Mexican film diva Katy Jurado
Katy Jurado
Katy Jurado , born María Cristina Estela Marcela Jurado García in Mexico, D.F., was a Mexican actress who had a successful film career both in Mexico and in Hollywood....
's last movie.
Recording artist
As a recording artist, Misha's first CD, Zambooka, was endorsed by Quincy JonesQuincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
and Bob James and featured artists Chick Corea
Chick Corea
Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, and composer.Many of his compositions are considered jazz standards. As a member of Miles Davis' band in the 1960s, he participated in the birth of the electric jazz fusion movement. In the 1970s he formed Return to Forever...
and Freddy Hubbard. His next CD, Connected to the Unexpected, was picked up by over 200 college stations and enjoyed heavy rotation on the top NAC stations across the country. Don't Say It's Over, produced and co-written by Misha, features vocalist Randy Crawford
Randy Crawford
Randy Crawford is an American jazz and R&B singer. She has been more successful in Europe than in the United States, where she has not entered the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist...
. This CD spent three weeks at No. 1 on the NAC charts.
Scoring for film & television
Misha's filmography can be found on IMDB and Misha's website (on the latter, you can also hear his composing sampler).Luisa Lubell
One of Misha's latest discoveries is Luisa Lubell , a Colombian-American teenager based in South Florida. Misha's working in collaboration with Peter Roberts (co-writer and co-producer) on Luisa's debut album, a mix of Latin Pop and Reggaeton.The Blue Lou and Misha Project - Highly Classified
The Blue Lou and Misha Project - Highly Classified is a contemporary jazz project project with "Blue Lou" MariniLou Marini
Lou Marini, Jr. is an American saxophonist, arranger and composer. He is noted for his work in the jazz, rock, blues and soul music traditions.-Early life and range of musical experience:...
. The recording features New York musicians Will Lee
Will Lee (bassist)
Will Lee aka William Franklin Lee IV is an American musician and bassist, best known for his work on the CBS television program The Late Show with David Letterman as part of the CBS Orchestra....
, John Tropea
John Tropea
John Tropea is a guitarist with extensive experience in the rock, pop, and jazz genres. Tropea has written for and played with major recording artists from around the world...
, and Anthony Jackson.
Christmas Healing
3-CD collaboration with "New Age Goddess", Diane ArkenstoneDiane Arkenstone
- Career :Arkenstone wrote her first song at the age of three and started playing guitar at the age of seven. She is trained as an opera singer. In her early career she co-formed with a friend named Melanie the duo Enaid & Einalem....
, featuring Peter Hume on guitar and duet vocals. The first volume was released just a few weeks before Christmas, 2006.
Female and Lung Cancer Awareness Advocacy
The Red, White & Blue Female CD package, is Misha's latest solo release, a 3-CD piano collection of mostly improvised original music and cherished, familiar love songs. The style is described by fans as a cross between Frédéric ChopinFrédéric Chopin
Frédéric François Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist. He is considered one of the great masters of Romantic music and has been called "the poet of the piano"....
's Nocturnes
Nocturnes
Nocturnes is an orchestral composition in three movements by the French composer Claude Debussy. It was completed on 15 December 1899.-Movements:The three movements are:* I. Nuages * II. Fêtes * III...
and a laid back Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett is an American pianist and composer who performs both jazz and classical music.Jarrett started his career with Art Blakey, moving on to play with Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis. Since the early 1970s he has enjoyed a great deal of success in jazz, jazz fusion, and classical music; as...
. Female is the core of Misha's Beauty Found in Unlikely Places concert series. The concerts and the music were inspired by his mother, a woman with an unbreakable spirit who died after a 6-year battle with lung cancer on Mother's Day 2001. Through these concerts, associated media interviews and Public Service Announcements, he forwards his mission of educating the public on lung cancer awareness issues and raising the quality of life of those fighting the biggest battle of theirs.
Misha performed at the inaugural Crystal Ball to Benefit the Fight Against Lung Cancer , which raised over $120,000.00 for lung cancer research. This was an event of the Lung Cancer Alliance.
A story Misha wrote about his mother, "Elisabeth" can now be found in an anthology called Voices of Lung Cancer, published by LaChance Publishing, benefitting The Healing Project http://www.thehealingproject.org/voices.html.
A Week In The Life
Misha splits his time between Hollywood, New York, Tel Aviv and Germany. Is a Scientologist and has taken part in church concerts and events.When he is not making music, he is listening to it, cooking up a storm, sampling fine wines from around the world and flying single engine planes.