James Newberry is an award-winning film composer who has worked with numerous creative filmmakers and storytellers. His approach to scoring to picture and unique voice can be heard in various features, television series, and top-tier film festivals around the world (Sundance, SXSW, NYFF, Tribeca, etc.). Characterized by an organic, artistic, specialized electro-acoustic sound, James’ music elevates every project, incorporating new sounds and unconventional style blends.
Recent projects include Buck, directed by Elegance Bratton & Jovan James, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. He also worked with Elegance Bratton for his documentary, Pier Kids, which debuted on PBS | POV in 2021. A narrative thriller feature, Driven, premiered in 2022 on various platforms. James also co-scored the CNN documentary series LBJ: Triumph and Tragedy, Wolfgang for Disney+, and HBO’s The Lady And The Dale as well as the documentary feature The Stroll, which premiered at Sundance 2023.
He has written additional music on Netflix’s Ozark, AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead, HBO’s The Outsider, and more. James also provided additional music for Ubisoft’s For Honor, and performed on taiko drums, surdos, afro-cuban instruments, and military percussion. Along with percussion, James performs clarinet, piano, hardware synthesizers, and some experimental strings on his scores. He only learns how to play instruments well enough to make weird sounds on them. His scores aim to subvert expectations, defy conventional norms, and elevate the art of filmmaking. He currently lives in LA.