MCB Interviews Danny Jacob
If you have kids that watch the Disney Channel, there's no doubt you've been impacted by Danny Jacob's music.
Best known for his work on Phineas & Ferb, Jacob's journey from pop guitarist to three time emmy nominated composer is a unique story that provides him with a diverse musical palette.
"It was a goal I had to be a session player and tour," Jacob says.
After touring throughout the nineties with George Michael and Bette Midler, he was ready for a change. "I always wrote songs. I always loved movie scores but didn't think I'd end up a composer." His well-established guitar skills led to an opportunity in 1997 to arrange and co-produce with Hans Zimmer.
"Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell were gracious enough to let me play all the guitars on 'Shrek' and Hans Zimmer let me arrange the opening of 'The Road to El Dorado'. They let me into their world and I started to experiment with orchestration. I’m sure I was a pain to them cause I kept showing up and soaking up what I could."
After working solo with Disney TV Animation, Jacob joined the team of new, song-oriented production - Phineas & Ferb. According to Jacob, the production process differs from most shows.
"Before animation begins, the songs are written and recorded. This makes it more like a music video and the animators catch a lot of the instrumentation in picture," Jacob explains.
"Once the animation is finalized, we have a 'preview'. I go to the Disney lot to spot the episode with the show creators, Dan Povenmire and Swampy Marsh."
Jacob makes revisions after this session, then delivers a finished product from his own studio.
"I produce, arrange, compose, play all the guitars, hire all the singers and mix the score and songs at my studio," says Jacob. "The challenges I face are deadlines."
The pressure to deliver has helped Jacob prioritize. "I love deadlines because they force you to make decisions on what to spend most of my time on. EQ’ing a kick drum or sketching out a 3-minute orchestral cue? The answer is #2!"
Currently, Danny Jacob is getting ready for pre-production of a Phineas and Ferb movie and the 3rd season of the TV series. Look for a Phineas & Ferb Christmas album later this year. For more information and audio clips, visit http://www.dannyjacobmusic.com/
More tips from Danny Jacob:
"Most composers, including myself, come from other careers and can play an instrument. Or they might come from engineering or music editing. Getting familiar with an instrument is a must. If I draw blanks, I pick up my guitar and it saves me every time. It’s better to have a simple setup that you can get around then all the latest gear in the world. It is essential to love and be inspired by music."
"Although I am schooled in the guitar and can read music, my orchestra chops are from my ear. I listen to my favorite composers and try to make my own style, employing technology, the guitar, and the orchestra samples. Composing is an evolving process and I’m constantly learning."
"I used to complain before I got big tours that I was stuck in all these top 40 nightclubs, while my other LA friends started going on the road. It turned out all the dues I paid learning and tearing apart hit songs help me immensely with Phineas. Learning all I could from Hans, Harry, and John helped me, as well. Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell’s score to 'Chicken Run' is one of my favorites."