Meet Jonathan Corbie | Composer & Sound Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonathan Corbie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonathan, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I’d say firstly, it’s reliability. Film and television are fast-paced environments, and the teams bringing you onto a project are really looking for someone they can trust to deliver efficient, high-quality work. I was fortunate early in my career to get opportunities assisting other composers, doing music supervision, editing, orchestration, and sound design. That experience has really shaped how I approach my technical skills. It’s helped me refine my workflow, which allows me to showcase my creativity. It really starts with those foundational skills; when people call on your work, they know that they can rely on your expertise. Over the years, I’ve developed relationships with directors, artists and other composers who I’ve collaborated with. In fact, most of my work comes through collaborations with those same people or through recommendations, so it’s been critical for me to build a reputation for consistency.

The other factor is empathy. That’s my creative driver. I really try to understand the characters’ stories: what drives them, what they hope for, or what they fear. It gives purpose to my creative choices. Our emotions are layered and complex, and I work to represent that depth in my music. I believe this is what makes my work fulfilling for me and attractive to collaborators.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I got my start assisting Nathan Fields, founder of Rareform Audio, a music and audio post-production company here in LA. I had a fantastic experience with the team there. I scored animated TV, film, and trailer projects, and learned so much on the job.

I also had the opportunity to contribute original sound design to the catalog at Black Sheep Music, Rareform’s trailer music publishing imprint. Since then, my sound design has been featured in a slew of major campaigns, including Deadpool & Wolverine, Nosferatu, Fast X, and most recently, Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+.

I recently scored a new feature, Untouchable: Laughing Out Caste, which follows Manjeet Sakar, the first Indian comedian to perform at the United Nations. The documentary is co-directed by Manjeet and Mike Noone, and it covers his remarkable journey across India and the world. It captures his unique perspective on rural and urban life, and his experience with the caste system. The film is shot so beautifully, and Manjeet’s comedy is fantastic. I’m so grateful to the team for trusting me with this story. The team just wrapped screenings across North America, and I can’t wait to share more about the project soon.

I’m about to release a new instrumental composition for the Trinidadian Rhythm Section, coming out this month. It’s my love letter to my heritage and I can’t wait to share it. I am also working on more film and TV projects with the team at High Noone Productions, founded by Mike Noone, and collaborating with gold-certified record producer, Kasey Phillips. There’s a ton of exciting new projects around the corner and I can’t wait to share more soon.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As an LA transplant myself, here are my top visits:

The Long Beach Jazz Festival in the summer is a highlight. Great to hear a blend of local and international jazz and R&B artists.

I’m partial to the LA Opera, where I’ve seen fantastic shows with Renée Fleming and Rod Gilfry.

The Hollywood Bowl features amazing artists and also hosts live film music concerts. The open-air setting is fun; you can bring food and drinks, and it’s a great time with friends.

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is a stunning spot, and you get a mix of art and history.

Leimert Park is a great spot to experience Black culture and creativity, with plenty of art, music, and performances. You can also sample a range of foods, including Caribbean cuisine.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
“People who need people are the luckiest people in the world”, as sung by Barbra Streisand. This sentiment has proven true throughout my journey. I’ve leaned heavily on my community and I’m so grateful to those who’ve supported me and my work. Firstly, I have to shoutout my family, especially my parents. I owe my early appreciation for music to them; they’re both musicians in their own right, and they created an environment where my love for music was nurtured. Their support is the reason I was able to pursue this career.

I also want to shoutout an amazing composer and close friend, Kristen Personius. When I first moved to LA and was new to media work, Kristen was incredibly gracious in helping me get acquainted with the scoring community. She may not even remember, but she recommended me to my first industry gig. My community is full of wonderful people I can lean on, and I know how fortunate I am to have that.

Website: https://www.jonathancorbie.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathancorbie/