When people come to me about my music, they are looking for a jazz flavor. I have synthesized music from all genres but the overarching feel is Jazz. When it comes to composing films, I approach it very much like a jazz performance. Whereby the elements such as improvisation, complex harmony, and the blues are fully present and realized throughout.
My name is Andrew DeNicola, and I am a jazz saxophonist and film composer who can provide music that could enhance your film project. I have written mostly original music for my own artist projects and have extensive experience performing in jazz ensembles and working as a session musician.
The primary DAW I use is Pro Tools, and I use Finale as my notation software. I specialize in using my woodwind instruments to create the score along with MIDI plugins. The instruments include the saxophone(s), flute, clarinet, and piano.
Other reasons to hire me are that I will deliver your project on time and that I am an effective communicator who gets the best results.
Send me a note through the contact button above.
Languages
- English
Interview with Andrew DeNicola
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: A project I worked on was creating MIDI demo tracks for a drag artist who went by the name of Plasma. I used all of my instruments and MIDI plugins to create five backing tracks so she could perform a solo performance in Cape Cod and stay within the budget.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am creating a portfolio of film score reels and want to showcase them to people.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I would recommend Josh on multiple saxophones and woodwind instruments.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I prefer analog, because the warm sound it produces is something that has a different effect on an audience versus a digital flat sound.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: The terms and agreement we have, I will agree to all those provisions as to meet your expectations of the project requirements, and also bring my own unique personality to your vision.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: For me, it is being able to create and discover new possibilities working with creative people who have visions for their art.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How much do you charge? Performance rates are higher than composition rates. Refer to my price listing. When can you complete this by? I can usually complete the work in 1 to 2 days or in 2 to 4 weeks after we start.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That's when I do everything efficiently; people think it took a quick amount of time, so I shouldn't have to pay for so much labor. But that is the expertise and the time you wouldn't have wasted with someone who cannot perform the job as well.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: How long is the project? How much music is required? Where do you want the saxophone to come in? How much is your budget?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: My advice is to be as detailed as possible so I know exactly what you are looking for and whether I am the right fit for your project.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: I would take my saxophone/clarinet/flute, a Fender Rhodes, laptop, and audio gear.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: My goals as an artist are not only to make a living as a performer but also as a full-time composer. I have been making music for twenty-two years, and have had a wide range of experiences so far.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My style blends jazz with a touch of R&B and film, bringing a meditative vibe to the mix.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would love to work with Hans Zimmer, as he is an incredible film composer from whom I could learn a lot.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: My one music production tip is to line everything up to the exact starting time. This will help ensure the smoothest delivery.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: The types of music I usually work on are jazz, pop, R&B, meditation, and film music.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is improvising on the saxophone. This is the selling point for people, as I have so much experience performing not only in jazz bands but also on cruise ships, at private events, festivals, and in intimate venues.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: What I bring to the song is the right vibe and my unique ability to improvise and adjust it to the context of the music and/or scene. My jazz background allows me to create new melodies easily over the framework, and I also bring my unique library of music I have listened to of 20th century music.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I start out with research and/or by listening repeatedly to the track I am performing or composing. After I have synthesized the track, which I call the pre-phase, I move into performing and or working on it. When I work on it, I am very open to immediate feedback to see if I am moving in the right direction. Once I record/capture everything, I export the stems and masters to the client and receive payment.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My studio setup consists of a Rode NK1 Microphone and an Apollo Twin Audio Interface, and I use my laptop to run Pro Tools and record all the music. I can also write a score in Finale and import it into Pro Tools for a MIDI mockup.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: My influences include John Coltrane, The Yellowjackets, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Gary Thomas, Alex North, Jerry Goldsmith, Miles Davis, Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, John Williams, and Kenny Garrett.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: The most common type of work I have done is as a session musician. This process involves overdubbing my woodwind instruments onto a pre-recorded track, either adding background parts or improvising on it.
- Film ComposerAverage price - $100 per minute
- SaxophoneAverage price - $250 per song
- FluteAverage price - $250 per song
- ClarinetAverage price - $200 per song
- Time alignment - QuantizingAverage price - $100 per track
- EditingAverage price - $100 per track
I allow three revisions on a turnaround of about 4-5 days. The additional costs will be based on the time and effort it will take to complete the project.
- Woodwinds
- Rode NK1 Mic
- Apollo Twin Audio Interface
- pro tools
- finale
I work on flat rates, as I believe what we negotiate is what you will expect for me to deliver. I can give a reasonable discount if you hire me for both the woodwind performance and composing.
