Bio
Bill Brendle has composed and produced music for many independent and feature films for 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, and Warner Brothers. His music has been used in many TV commercials, and he is the composer for a several documentary films that have aired on PBS, The Discovery Channel, and HBO. He is also an arranger/orchestrator on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and on the highly successful program “American Idol”.
In addition, Bill is an experienced orchestral conductor and composer/arranger for film & television, symphonic pops concerts and theater. As the Musical Director for Sergio Mendes, he arranged and conducted Pops programs for the Atlanta Symphony, and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He has composed and conducted original music for productions of "Macbeth", "The Tempest", "The Twelfth Night", "The Crucible", and "A Christmas Carol".
As a pianist/keyboardist, Bill has worked with some of the most recognized names in the music business including: Lamont Dozier, Sergio Mendes, John Legend, Will.I.Am, India Arie, Joss Stone, The Black-Eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake, Erykah Badu, Jojo, Whitney Houston, Michael McDonald, Tito Puente, Celine Dion, Eric Benet, Carol King, Joe Williams, Steve Winwood, and Chaka Khan.
Internationally, he has recorded and performed with artists from Cape Verde, Angola, Japan, and France, including opera star Julia Migenes. In Brazil, he has recorded with Maria Bethânia, Simone, Rita Lee, Hermeto Paschoal, Guinga, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Ivan Lins, and has made several TV appearances.
Bill Brendle is also the co-founder and composer for the band "Sambaguru", an ensemble of musicians from Brazil, Sri Lanka, and the United States. They have been playing a wide-ranging mix of original and compelling Brazilian music since 1997. Visit www.sambaguru.com for more about Sambaguru.
He is a native of Santa Barbara, CA, and now resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Paula, and their two children.
In addition, Bill is an experienced orchestral conductor and composer/arranger for film & television, symphonic pops concerts and theater. As the Musical Director for Sergio Mendes, he arranged and conducted Pops programs for the Atlanta Symphony, and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He has composed and conducted original music for productions of "Macbeth", "The Tempest", "The Twelfth Night", "The Crucible", and "A Christmas Carol".
As a pianist/keyboardist, Bill has worked with some of the most recognized names in the music business including: Lamont Dozier, Sergio Mendes, John Legend, Will.I.Am, India Arie, Joss Stone, The Black-Eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake, Erykah Badu, Jojo, Whitney Houston, Michael McDonald, Tito Puente, Celine Dion, Eric Benet, Carol King, Joe Williams, Steve Winwood, and Chaka Khan.
Internationally, he has recorded and performed with artists from Cape Verde, Angola, Japan, and France, including opera star Julia Migenes. In Brazil, he has recorded with Maria Bethânia, Simone, Rita Lee, Hermeto Paschoal, Guinga, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Ivan Lins, and has made several TV appearances.
Bill Brendle is also the co-founder and composer for the band "Sambaguru", an ensemble of musicians from Brazil, Sri Lanka, and the United States. They have been playing a wide-ranging mix of original and compelling Brazilian music since 1997. Visit www.sambaguru.com for more about Sambaguru.
He is a native of Santa Barbara, CA, and now resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Paula, and their two children.
Film & TV
Feature Films:
Woman on Top – Fox Searchlight
Directed by Fina Torres , Starring Penelope Cruz
Composer, Arranger
Everyday – (2009) directed by Richard Levine
Starring Helen Hunt, Liev Schrieber
Composer - Additional Music
The Sentinel - 20th Cent. Fox
Starring Michael Douglas & Kiefer Sutherland
Composer - Additional Music
Miracle Match (The Game of Their Lives) - 20th Cent. Fox
Directed by David Anspaugh
Composer - Additional Music
The First 20 Million is Always the Hardest - 20th Cent. Fox
Composer - Additional Music
Television:
Saigon USA - PBS Documentary
Composer, Orchestrator
The Guerrero Project - Discovery Documentary
Composer, Orchestrator
Talking Science - Science Channel Documentary
Composer, Programmer
Bomb It - Indie Documentary
Co-Composer, Programmer
Cedric the Entertainer “Taking You Higher” - HBO
Composer, Orchestrator
American Idol - FOX
2006-Present
Arranger, Orchestrator
Live Television:
Arranger & Orchestrator for performances by:
Mary J. Blige
Daniel Powter
Gloria Estefan
Television Appearances:
Legends & Lyrics - PBS
Piano accompanist with Lamont Dozier
The Tonight Show - Multiple times
Keyboardist, Pianist
Good Morning LA - Multiple times
Keyboardist, Pianist
Good Day LA - Multiple times
Keyboardist, Pianist
The Jo Soares Show (Brazil)
Multiple times
Woman on Top – Fox Searchlight
Directed by Fina Torres , Starring Penelope Cruz
Composer, Arranger
Everyday – (2009) directed by Richard Levine
Starring Helen Hunt, Liev Schrieber
Composer - Additional Music
The Sentinel - 20th Cent. Fox
Starring Michael Douglas & Kiefer Sutherland
Composer - Additional Music
Miracle Match (The Game of Their Lives) - 20th Cent. Fox
Directed by David Anspaugh
Composer - Additional Music
The First 20 Million is Always the Hardest - 20th Cent. Fox
Composer - Additional Music
Television:
Saigon USA - PBS Documentary
Composer, Orchestrator
The Guerrero Project - Discovery Documentary
Composer, Orchestrator
Talking Science - Science Channel Documentary
Composer, Programmer
Bomb It - Indie Documentary
Co-Composer, Programmer
Cedric the Entertainer “Taking You Higher” - HBO
Composer, Orchestrator
American Idol - FOX
2006-Present
Arranger, Orchestrator
Live Television:
Arranger & Orchestrator for performances by:
Mary J. Blige
Daniel Powter
Gloria Estefan
Television Appearances:
Legends & Lyrics - PBS
Piano accompanist with Lamont Dozier
The Tonight Show - Multiple times
Keyboardist, Pianist
Good Morning LA - Multiple times
Keyboardist, Pianist
Good Day LA - Multiple times
Keyboardist, Pianist
The Jo Soares Show (Brazil)
Multiple times
Musical Theater
Regional Productions:
La Jolla Playhouse
"Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" - music by The Flaming Lips
Directed by Des McAnuff
Orchestrator, Music Sequencing, Instrument Programming
"Sleeping Beauty Wakes"
B-3 Organ, Keyboards
Mark Taper Forum - L.A. Music Center
"Parade"- Jason Robert Brown , composer
Piano and Accordion
Pasadena Playhouse
"Can Can" (revival) - Steve Orich Musical Director
Keyboards, Synth Programming, Accordion
"Heartbeats" - Keyboards, Synth Programming
Rubicon Theatre - Ventura, CA
"Little Miss Scrooge" - Keyboards
Civic Light Opera of South Bay
"Miss Saigon" - Keyboards, Synth Programming
The Carlson Theater, Calabasas CA
"Viewpoint Cares /Broadway Cares"
(With Davis Gaines, Laurie Gayle Stephenson, & Sam Harris)
Conductor, Orchestrator, Pianist
The Wilshire Theater, Los Angeles
"Blame it on Bacharach/ S.T.A.G.E. Benefit" - Keyboards, Synth Programming
The Granada Theater, Santa Barbara
"Pazzazz" - Additional Orchestrations
Conservatory of Theater at Viewpoint School, Calabasas
"Pride and Prejudice" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"The Cherry Orchard" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"The Glass Menagerie" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"Macbeth" - Composer, Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"The Twelfth Night" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"The Crucible" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"The Tempest" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"A Christmas Carol" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"Guys and Dolls" - Conductor, Rehearsal Pianist
"Bye Bye Birdie" - Conductor, Rehearsal Pianist
"West Side Story" - Pianist, Rehearsal Pianist, Vocal Director
"Kiss Me Kate" (revival) -
Pianist, Rehearsal Pianist, Vocal Director, Add. Orchestrations
"Into The Woods" - Pianist, Rehearsal Pianist, Vocal Director
"Once Upon a Mattress" -
Keyboards, Synth Programming, Add. Orchestrations
"Oliver" - Rehearsal Pianist, Add. Orchestrations
"Beauty and the Beast" - Rehearsal Pianist, Vocal Director
"Seussical" - Keyboards, Synth Programming, Rehearsal Pianist
Greater Los Angeles Area Productions:
"Aida" (E. John & T. Rice) - Keyboards, Synth Programming
"Jekyll & Hyde" - Keyboards, Synth Programming
"Thoroughly Modern Millie" - Keyboards, Synth Programming
"A Chorus Line" - Pianist, Rehearsal Pianist, Vocal Director
"Jesus Christ Superstar" - Bass
"Pippin" – Bass
"Cabaret" – Bass
La Jolla Playhouse
"Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" - music by The Flaming Lips
Directed by Des McAnuff
Orchestrator, Music Sequencing, Instrument Programming
"Sleeping Beauty Wakes"
B-3 Organ, Keyboards
Mark Taper Forum - L.A. Music Center
"Parade"- Jason Robert Brown , composer
Piano and Accordion
Pasadena Playhouse
"Can Can" (revival) - Steve Orich Musical Director
Keyboards, Synth Programming, Accordion
"Heartbeats" - Keyboards, Synth Programming
Rubicon Theatre - Ventura, CA
"Little Miss Scrooge" - Keyboards
Civic Light Opera of South Bay
"Miss Saigon" - Keyboards, Synth Programming
The Carlson Theater, Calabasas CA
"Viewpoint Cares /Broadway Cares"
(With Davis Gaines, Laurie Gayle Stephenson, & Sam Harris)
Conductor, Orchestrator, Pianist
The Wilshire Theater, Los Angeles
"Blame it on Bacharach/ S.T.A.G.E. Benefit" - Keyboards, Synth Programming
The Granada Theater, Santa Barbara
"Pazzazz" - Additional Orchestrations
Conservatory of Theater at Viewpoint School, Calabasas
"Pride and Prejudice" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"The Cherry Orchard" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"The Glass Menagerie" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"Macbeth" - Composer, Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"The Twelfth Night" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"The Crucible" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"The Tempest" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"A Christmas Carol" - Composer/Orchestrator, Conductor/Pianist
"Guys and Dolls" - Conductor, Rehearsal Pianist
"Bye Bye Birdie" - Conductor, Rehearsal Pianist
"West Side Story" - Pianist, Rehearsal Pianist, Vocal Director
"Kiss Me Kate" (revival) -
Pianist, Rehearsal Pianist, Vocal Director, Add. Orchestrations
"Into The Woods" - Pianist, Rehearsal Pianist, Vocal Director
"Once Upon a Mattress" -
Keyboards, Synth Programming, Add. Orchestrations
"Oliver" - Rehearsal Pianist, Add. Orchestrations
"Beauty and the Beast" - Rehearsal Pianist, Vocal Director
"Seussical" - Keyboards, Synth Programming, Rehearsal Pianist
Greater Los Angeles Area Productions:
"Aida" (E. John & T. Rice) - Keyboards, Synth Programming
"Jekyll & Hyde" - Keyboards, Synth Programming
"Thoroughly Modern Millie" - Keyboards, Synth Programming
"A Chorus Line" - Pianist, Rehearsal Pianist, Vocal Director
"Jesus Christ Superstar" - Bass
"Pippin" – Bass
"Cabaret" – Bass
Live Performance
Live Performances with:
Sergio Mendes (MD)
Lamont Dozier
Will.I.Am
Justin Timberlake
John Legend
The Black Eyed Peas
India Arie
Erykah Badu
Chaka Kahn
Aretha Franklin
Smokey Robinson
Deniece Williams
Frida Payne
Whitney Houston
Mariah Carey
Michael McDonald
Steve Winwood
Tito Puente
Dave Koz
Melissa Manchester
Carol King
Joe Williams
Deborah Gibson
Stefanie Powers
Steve Tyrell
Sam Harris
Davis Gaines
Laurie Gayle Stephenson
Marni Nixon
The Los Angeles Philharmonic
The Atlanta Symphony
The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
The Vancouver Symphony
Sergio Mendes (MD)
Lamont Dozier
Will.I.Am
Justin Timberlake
John Legend
The Black Eyed Peas
India Arie
Erykah Badu
Chaka Kahn
Aretha Franklin
Smokey Robinson
Deniece Williams
Frida Payne
Whitney Houston
Mariah Carey
Michael McDonald
Steve Winwood
Tito Puente
Dave Koz
Melissa Manchester
Carol King
Joe Williams
Deborah Gibson
Stefanie Powers
Steve Tyrell
Sam Harris
Davis Gaines
Laurie Gayle Stephenson
Marni Nixon
The Los Angeles Philharmonic
The Atlanta Symphony
The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
The Vancouver Symphony
Studio Work
Studio work with:
USA:
Lamont Dozier
Beau Dozier
Sergio Mendes
Joss Stone
Will.I.Am
Justin Timberlake
John Legend
The Black Eyed Peas
India Arie
Erykah Badu
Solange Knowles
Eric Benet
Jojo
Celine Dion
Abigail Rockwell
Lonely Island
Sambaguru
Jurassic 5
Michael Woodrum
Brazil:
Ivan Lins
Maria Bethânia
Gilberto Gil
Caetano Veloso
Simone
Rita Lee
Kátia Moraes
Sandra de Sah
Sandy & Junior
João Gilberto
Guinga
Hermeto Paschoal
France:
Julia Migenes
Cape Verde:
Maria de Barros
Angola:
Waldemar Bastos
Japan:
Lisa Ono
T-Square
USA:
Lamont Dozier
Beau Dozier
Sergio Mendes
Joss Stone
Will.I.Am
Justin Timberlake
John Legend
The Black Eyed Peas
India Arie
Erykah Badu
Solange Knowles
Eric Benet
Jojo
Celine Dion
Abigail Rockwell
Lonely Island
Sambaguru
Jurassic 5
Michael Woodrum
Brazil:
Ivan Lins
Maria Bethânia
Gilberto Gil
Caetano Veloso
Simone
Rita Lee
Kátia Moraes
Sandra de Sah
Sandy & Junior
João Gilberto
Guinga
Hermeto Paschoal
France:
Julia Migenes
Cape Verde:
Maria de Barros
Angola:
Waldemar Bastos
Japan:
Lisa Ono
T-Square
Bill's Home Studio
My Studio - Bill’s Place
I built my studio from the ground up in 2001. It’s an 18’x18’ open room with a high vaulted ceiling. It’s acoustically designed and treated, and it’s decorated with artwork from my traveling days.
I have a large collection of old LP records, CDs, DVDs, piano music, orchestral scores, and books on hand when I need some inspiration.
It’s an environment conducive to musical creativity on many levels.
I write almost everything on a Mac Pro 8 core 3.0 Ghz computer using Apple Logic Studio. I’ve been using Logic for about 8 years now, but I was a Digital Performer user for about 15 years before that. I also have a modest Pro Tools system that I use occasionally, and I’m very comfortable with that program as well. For video I use the Canopus ADVC 110 to convert to my plasma monitor, which is a great scoring setup. I have a lot of plugins that I use to create sounds, and I love to experiment with different combinations to produce a wide variety of emotional qualities in my music. Some of my favorite plugins are from Vienna Instruments, Synthogy, Spectrasonics, Celemony, FXpansion, and Native Instruments to name a few.
I use a Yamaha Motif for my main keyboard, I was one of the first to get one when I was a Yamaha Keyboard artist. I still love the feel and expressive capabilities of my Motif. I use a Pre-Sonus Digimax 96k for my mic-pre’s and audio conversion. It’s connected via lightpipe to a MOTU 2408 that’s connected to my computer. The Digimax also has an excellent clock for syncing all my audio. I have a pair of Hafler TRM6 studio monitors and a Tannoy TS10 subwoofer that are perfectly suited for my room. My system is very strong and stable, which allows me to explore music in infinite ways
I built my studio from the ground up in 2001. It’s an 18’x18’ open room with a high vaulted ceiling. It’s acoustically designed and treated, and it’s decorated with artwork from my traveling days.
I have a large collection of old LP records, CDs, DVDs, piano music, orchestral scores, and books on hand when I need some inspiration.
It’s an environment conducive to musical creativity on many levels.
I write almost everything on a Mac Pro 8 core 3.0 Ghz computer using Apple Logic Studio. I’ve been using Logic for about 8 years now, but I was a Digital Performer user for about 15 years before that. I also have a modest Pro Tools system that I use occasionally, and I’m very comfortable with that program as well. For video I use the Canopus ADVC 110 to convert to my plasma monitor, which is a great scoring setup. I have a lot of plugins that I use to create sounds, and I love to experiment with different combinations to produce a wide variety of emotional qualities in my music. Some of my favorite plugins are from Vienna Instruments, Synthogy, Spectrasonics, Celemony, FXpansion, and Native Instruments to name a few.
I use a Yamaha Motif for my main keyboard, I was one of the first to get one when I was a Yamaha Keyboard artist. I still love the feel and expressive capabilities of my Motif. I use a Pre-Sonus Digimax 96k for my mic-pre’s and audio conversion. It’s connected via lightpipe to a MOTU 2408 that’s connected to my computer. The Digimax also has an excellent clock for syncing all my audio. I have a pair of Hafler TRM6 studio monitors and a Tannoy TS10 subwoofer that are perfectly suited for my room. My system is very strong and stable, which allows me to explore music in infinite ways