I was born and raised in San Pedro, California, about 25 miles south of Los Angeles. My mother played piano, and my father was a great sketch artist. I started on guitar at age 15, and piano shortly after. Both of my parents encouraged my music from the start and continued to support me through all of my musical projects. I earned a BFA degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1975, majoring in piano performance. I began playing professionally upon graduating and also began teaching private students. I started recording my original compositions at that time and began developing my writing style.
I formed caribbean/latin jazz band One World in 1986, utilizing the soca (dance music from Trinidad) and mambo rhythms that I was fascinated with. My original sound received worldwide airplay and sales with our three albums Spirits Beckon You, L.A. Mambo, and Share My Love. I began recording my jazz trio album during the Share My Love recording sessions in 2005, completing the recording in 2010 and releasing my first jazz CD Thoughts Revealed in 2012 to worldwide critical acclaim and airplay.
I’m playing blues guitar with David Goodman’s Blues Alive Band on Sunday, March 15th at 4pm!! It’ll be a fun… http://t.co/oD2O0WY8vl
— Frank P. Unzueta (@frankunzueta) February 22, 2015
I began my first film scoring project with A Father’s Journey, directed by David Fernandez, Jr., in 2013, completing the score in August 2014. I have since been asked by David Fernandez, Jr. to score another film starting in the fall of 2015. There are more projects in development as well. I am writing material for a new jazz trio project, and writing an orchestral composition for the L.A. Philharmonic at present.
Did you study music or score for film
Initially, I studied orchestration in college. Film scoring I’ve learned by studying films, and by studying scores of great composers. From Mozart to Beethoven to Debussy to Aaron Copland, I am constantly analyzing and dissecting the work of the masters to use in my scores.
Describe your process as a film composer
The very first step in the process of scoring a film is to find out the director’s artistic vision for the film. With my first film, A Father’s Journey, I had several conversations with director David Fernandez, Jr. before I made any musical or scoring decisions. It’s the director’s film and his vision for the film that ultimately comes first. The next step is the spotting session where the director, music editor, and myself watch the entire film and decide where to place the music. Composing the music, scoring decisions comes next.
Who is your greatest inspiration
As a composer, my greatest inspiration comes from the great masters of music. I faithfully study and play their music and their orchestral scores. Some of my favorites are Symphony 41 G-Minor by Mozart, Applachian Spring by Aaron Copland, Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky, Prelude to Afternoon of a Fawn by Claude Debussy.
What influences your work
Anything and everything. Music, different cultures and peoples, listening to musicians, great art and artists such as Michelangelo, Van Gogh, Picasso, etc. Nature is a huge influence on my work. I spend a lot of time meditating at the coast of California where I live.
What books do you read. Do you talk at seminar
I love reading historical biographies! I am currently reading books about Brahms, Chopin, Michelangelo, and Bob Dylan. I love history. I am also reading a great new book on the battle of Gettysburg. I haven’t been asked to speak at seminars, but I have private students in piano and composition.
Tell is about your near misses, failures and success
The most prominent near miss occurred with my original Caribbean/jazz group One World early in my career. I was sitting in the office ,with my attorney, of a record executive at Epic Records expecting to get signed. He was really high on my material but ultimately passed. I was bitterly disappointed. My first jazz trio album, Thoughts Revealed, was one of my proudest accomplishments. The album received worldwide airplay and sales. I continue to play concerts and record on a regular basis. Failure is a learning opportunity. That’s how I’ve always felt. The most important advice I can give is never be afraid to fail at something and never be afraid to try!
