Alan Silvestri

In his ongoing, decades-long career as a composer, Alan Silvestri has scored some of the most iconically revered and profitable films in Hollywood history, amassing over a hundred credits to the tune of several Grammy Awards. While stylistically diverse, the unifying voice of Alan's work is an unmistakable rhythmic melody whose themes continue to embody movie excitement and drama for generations of moviegoers.

Born in New York City and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, Silvestri first thought of becoming a bebop jazz guitar player. After spending two years at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Silvestri hit the road as a performer and arranger. Landing in Hollywood at the age of 22 and armed with film scoring books and a sense of adventure, Silvestri found himself successfully composing the music for 1972's The Doberman Gang. A sequel, The Amazing Dobermans, was followed by several low budget but successful films further cementing Silvestri's place in the world of film composing.

The 1970s witnessed the rise of energetic synth-pop scores and established Silvestri as the composer for TV's hit "CHiPs." This action-driven score caught the ear of budding filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, whose hit film 1984's Romancing the Stone was the perfect first date for the composer and director and its success became the basis of a decades-long collaboration between the filmmaker and composer. Their numerous collaborations have taken them through many fascinating landscapes and stylistic variations, from the jazzy world of Toontown in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? to the tension-filled rooms of What Lies Beneath and Death Becomes Her to the magic of The Christmas Carol and Polar Express, whose song "Believe" garnered an Oscar nomination. But perhaps no film partnership defines their creative relationship better than Zemeckis' 1994 Best Picture winner, Forrest Gump, for which Silvestri's gift for melodically beautiful themes earned him an Oscar nomination and the affection of film music lovers everywhere.

Silvestri's talent for a dynamically heroic sound has helped propel Marvel smash films such as Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, and Avengers: Endgame to spectacular worldwide success, even as he provided the restrained, anguished sound for the alcoholic pilot of Robert Zemeckis' Flight. Silvestri's rambunctious orchestral cheer has also helped to create the hit caveman family film The Croods.

Silvestri and his wife Sandra are long-time residents of California's central coast. The Silvestri family has embarked on a new venture as the founders of Silvestri Vineyards. Their wines show that lovingly cultivated fruit has a music all its own. "There's something about the elemental side of winemaking that appeals to me," he said. "Both music making and winemaking involve the blending of art and science. Just as each note brings its own voice to the melody, each vine brings it's own unique personality to the wine."

Whether in his studio or the vineyard, Silvestri continues to find inspiration and passion for music, film, family, and wine.