Lalo Schifrin’s work is spectacular: a musician of imagination and exceptional ability. Such intelligence, such sophistication…. Always flying high! As much a pianist as a composer and conductor, he can lead a symphonic orchestra, play at an international jazz festival, write a music score for TV or film and create works for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, The London Philharmonic or even The Sultan of Oman.
As a young man, in Argentina, his country of origin, he received training in classical music and an education in Law. He comes from a musical family and his father, Luís Schiffrin, was the Master of Concerts at the Philharmonic Orchestra of Buenos Aires at the Colón Theater. Later on Lalo Schiffrin continued his musical education at the Conservatory of Paris (1950). He simultaneously became a professional jazz pianist, composer and arranger, playing and recording in Europe. Once back in Buenos Aires in the mid 1950’s he formed his own big band. It was there that Gillespie heard him play and asked to be his pianist and arranger.
In 1958 he goes to the U.S. and starts his successful carrer. The traditional techniques of the 20th Century and his early love for jazz are the strongest attributes of his style. Examples of this tendency in his music are: "Invocations," "Concerto for Double Bass," "Piano Concertos No. 1 and No. 2," "Pulsations," "Tropicos," "La Nouvelle Orleans," and "Resonantes.” In the field of classical composition he has over 60 pieces. He has also written 100 pieces for films and televition. Among his classic scores are: "Mission Impossible," "Mannix," "The Fox," "Cool Hand Luke," "Bullitt," "Dirty Harry," "The Cincinnati Kid,"and "Amityville Horror." Recent film scores include "Tango," "Rush Hour," "Rush Hour 2," "Bringing down the House,", "The Bridge of San Luis Rey," "After the Sunset," and "Abominable.
Lalo Schiffrin traveled and performed on the most important stages and conducted the best orchestras in the world. Among them are: The London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, The Glendale Symphony Orchestra , The Vienna Symphony Orchestra, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Israel Philharmonic, the Mexico Philharmonic, The Houston Symphony Orchestra, The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, The Mexico City Philharmonic, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Orchestra of Saint Luke (New York City), and The National Symphonic Orchestra of Argentina.
He has also been in jazz festivals such as The Playboy Jazz Festival, The Monterey Jazz Festival, The 80th Birthday Commemorative Concert for Dizzy, Gillespie in Englewood, New Jersey, The Television Big Band Concert in Germany, WDR Big BandCconcert in Cologne, Germany, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band at the Carnegie Hall, The Clark University Jazz Band in Atlanta, and at the I.A.J.E. (International Association of Jazz Educa-tors)
Throughout his long career, Lalo Schiffrin has received numerous awards in the entire world. Among others he has won 4 Grammys and has 21 nominations, 6 Oscars nominations, a Cable ACE Award, and was appointed "Chevalier de l´Ordre des Arts et Lettres”. In June of 2006 Schiffrin was honored by The Los Angeles Chapter of the Recording Academy in a celebration to his immense career.
As a conductor, his programs have diverse repertoire options: films music scores and soundtracks, classical repertoire and jazz.
Lalo Schifrin is a renowned artist and highly acclaimed in the whole world.
