Jason Graves
Encyclopedia
Jason Graves is an award-winning American
television, film and video game music composer
. He is more recently known for his musical score for Dead Space
, a survival horror-action
video game.
(Bethesda
) and Silent Hunter
(Ubisoft
). His Hollywood expertise allows him to move between film, television and games with minimal effort, and he is renowned worldwide for his cinematic, immersive and award-winning music.
Jason was solely responsible for creating an innovative, unique soundtrack for Dead Space, which has become Electronic Art's best-selling original title and called "the scariest game ever made." Jason's score has been hailed by critics as a "truly original soundtrack" and "the best score of the year." It was recognized with a myriad of world-wide nominations and won two BAFTA awards - one for Original Score and one for Use of Audio. For the latter, the Academy stated, "It's the music soundtrack that boasts horror and tension."
Jason's musical background as a classically-trained composer, jazz drummer, keyboardist, guitarist and world percussionist allow him to compose in many different genres of music. As a result, his game credits alone include more than eighty titles, ranging from electronic and rock to full symphonic scores. He performs world percussion and guitar on many of his own scores and has conducted and recorded his live orchestral scores at Air Studios London, Capitol Records
, Paramount Pictures
, Skywalker Sound
, and with the Seattle and Salt Lake City Philharmonic orchestras.
Jason also composes for film and television, including his recent score for the thriller Fatal Flaw. His music has been licensed for television shows such as American Idol
and The Amazing Race
.
Recent projects include two hybrid electronic/orchestral game scores - one for the popular City of Heroes
franchise, entitled Going Rogue
(N.C. Soft) and a second for Section 8
(Southpeak Interactive), a first-person shooter set in the distant future. Jason also provided a live orchestral score for Dead Space Extraction, Electronic Art's prequel to the popular and critically acclaimed horror hit Dead Space.
In addition to the two BAFTAs, Jason's music has been honored with three Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
(AIAS) Award nominations, winning "Outstanding Achievement in Audio" for Dead Space. He has received seventeen G.A.N.G. nominations and four wins, including "Audio of the Year" for Dead Space, "Best Original Theme" nominations for Star Trek: Legacy
and Blazing Angels 2 and "Music of the Year" nominations for Dead Space and King Arthur.
Current projects include three sequels for different unannounced flagship game franchises and the feature film thriller Nevermore
. Jason Graves is represented by The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, Inc.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television, film and video game music composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. He is more recently known for his musical score for Dead Space
Dead Space (video game)
Dead Space is a survival horror third-person shooter video game, developed by EA Redwood Shores for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was made available on Steam on October 20, 2008...
, a survival horror-action
Action game
Action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes diverse subgenres such as fighting games, shooter games, and platform games, which are widely considered the most important action games, though some...
video game.
Biography
Jason Graves is a British Academy Award-winning composer who has brought his passion for music to video game franchises such as Dead Space (EA), Star TrekStar Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
(Bethesda
Bethesda Softworks
Bethesda Softworks, LLC, is an American video game company. A subsidiary of ZeniMax Media, the company was originally based in Bethesda, Maryland and eventually moved to their current location in Rockville, Maryland...
) and Silent Hunter
Silent Hunter
Silent Hunter is a World War II submarine combat simulation for MS-DOS, developed by Aeon Electronic Entertainment and published by Strategic Simulations in 1996. The game takes place in the Pacific War during World War II, the player commanding a submarine of the United States Navy. Most...
(Ubisoft
Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. is a major French video game publisher and developer, with headquarters in Montreuil, France. The company has a worldwide presence with 25 studios in 17 countries and subsidiaries in 26 countries....
). His Hollywood expertise allows him to move between film, television and games with minimal effort, and he is renowned worldwide for his cinematic, immersive and award-winning music.
Jason was solely responsible for creating an innovative, unique soundtrack for Dead Space, which has become Electronic Art's best-selling original title and called "the scariest game ever made." Jason's score has been hailed by critics as a "truly original soundtrack" and "the best score of the year." It was recognized with a myriad of world-wide nominations and won two BAFTA awards - one for Original Score and one for Use of Audio. For the latter, the Academy stated, "It's the music soundtrack that boasts horror and tension."
Jason's musical background as a classically-trained composer, jazz drummer, keyboardist, guitarist and world percussionist allow him to compose in many different genres of music. As a result, his game credits alone include more than eighty titles, ranging from electronic and rock to full symphonic scores. He performs world percussion and guitar on many of his own scores and has conducted and recorded his live orchestral scores at Air Studios London, Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
, Skywalker Sound
Skywalker Sound
Skywalker Sound is the sound effects, sound editing, sound design, sound mixing and music recording division of George Lucas' Lucas Digital motion picture group. Its main facilities are located in Lucas Valley, near Nicasio, California...
, and with the Seattle and Salt Lake City Philharmonic orchestras.
Jason also composes for film and television, including his recent score for the thriller Fatal Flaw. His music has been licensed for television shows such as American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
and The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race is a reality television game show in which teams of two people, who have some form of a preexisting personal relationship, race around the world in competition with other teams...
.
Recent projects include two hybrid electronic/orchestral game scores - one for the popular City of Heroes
City of Heroes
City of Heroes is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the superhero comic book genre, developed by Cryptic Studios and published by NCsoft. The game was launched in North America on April 27, 2004 and in Europe on February 4, 2005 with English, German and French language...
franchise, entitled Going Rogue
City of Heroes
City of Heroes is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the superhero comic book genre, developed by Cryptic Studios and published by NCsoft. The game was launched in North America on April 27, 2004 and in Europe on February 4, 2005 with English, German and French language...
(N.C. Soft) and a second for Section 8
Section 8 (video game)
Section 8 is a first-person shooter developed by TimeGate Studios and published by SouthPeak Interactive. It utilizes the Unreal Engine 3 and was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360...
(Southpeak Interactive), a first-person shooter set in the distant future. Jason also provided a live orchestral score for Dead Space Extraction, Electronic Art's prequel to the popular and critically acclaimed horror hit Dead Space.
In addition to the two BAFTAs, Jason's music has been honored with three Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences , founded in 1996, is a non-profit organization that promotes computer and video game entertainment with the annual D.I.C.E. Summit event, where its Interactive Achievement Awards ceremony has been held annually since 1998...
(AIAS) Award nominations, winning "Outstanding Achievement in Audio" for Dead Space. He has received seventeen G.A.N.G. nominations and four wins, including "Audio of the Year" for Dead Space, "Best Original Theme" nominations for Star Trek: Legacy
Star Trek: Legacy
Star Trek: Legacy is a video game released by Mad Doc Software for Windows-based PCs and Xbox 360. The game, a strategy/action and space combat game, was published by Bethesda Softworks...
and Blazing Angels 2 and "Music of the Year" nominations for Dead Space and King Arthur.
Current projects include three sequels for different unannounced flagship game franchises and the feature film thriller Nevermore
Nevermore
Nevermore is an American heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 1991, they are known to incorporate elements from styles such as thrash, power, progressive, and neo-classical metal into their songs, and also makes use of acoustic guitars and a wide range of vocal styles.-Early years...
. Jason Graves is represented by The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, Inc.
The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, Inc.
The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, Inc. , is a music talent agency located in Burbank, California, representing film and television composers, songwriters and music supervisors.-History:GSA was formed in 1982 by Michael Gorfaine and Samuel H...
Prominent works
- F.E.A.R. 3F.E.A.R. 3F.E.A.R. 3 is a psychological horror first-person shooter video game, developed by Day 1 Studios for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 as a sequel to the game F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin and the third installment of the F.E.A.R....
Warner Bros. - Dead Space 2Dead Space 2Dead Space 2 is a survival horror third-person shooter video game developed by Visceral Games and published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is the sequel to Dead Space. Unlike its predecessor, Dead Space 2 has a multiplayer mode. A Collector's Edition is...
Electronic Arts - Dead Space: ExtractionDead Space: ExtractionDead Space: Extraction has received favorable reviews, with an average rating of 82/100 on review aggregator Metacritic. Official Nintendo Magazine awarded the game 84 percent and called it "A first rate introduction to one of the finest survival horror franchises of recent years." The website...
Electronic Arts - Section 8Section 8 (video game)Section 8 is a first-person shooter developed by TimeGate Studios and published by SouthPeak Interactive. It utilizes the Unreal Engine 3 and was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360...
Timegate Studios/Southpeak Interactive - Alpha ProtocolAlpha ProtocolAlpha Protocol is a third-person espionage role-playing video game, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, their first title for an original IP, and published by Sega. The game revolves around the adventures of field agent Michael Thorton...
Obsidian Entertainment/Sega - Aliens Obsidian Entertainment/Sega
- Dead SpaceDead Space (video game)Dead Space is a survival horror third-person shooter video game, developed by EA Redwood Shores for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was made available on Steam on October 20, 2008...
Electronic Arts - Wheelman Midway
- C.O.P. The RecruitC.O.P. The RecruitC.O.P. The Recruit is a video game published by Ubisoft for the Nintendo DS. The game was announced at E3 2009 at the Nintendo conference. The game was originally registered under numerous names, one of which being "Driver: The Recruit". -Plot:...
Ubisoft - Hellboy: The Science of Evil Konami
- Blacksite: Area 51BlackSite: Area 51BlackSite: Area 51 is a horror science fiction first-person shooter video game, released for Xbox 360 and Windows on November 12, 2007 in North America, with a PlayStation 3 version coming a few weeks later. The game is mostly unrelated to the 2005 Multi-platform game Area 51. The game was...
Midway - Transformers: Autobots Activision
- Transformers: Decepticons Activision
- Hour of VictoryHour of VictoryThe game received substantially negative reviews from critics. On the review aggregator Game Rankings, the game had an average score of 37% based on 37 reviews...
Midway - Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWIIBlazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWIIBlazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII is a 2007 flight-combat video game for the personal computer, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360; developed by Ubisoft Romania; and published by Ubisoft. It was released on September 7 in Europe, September 18 in North America, and October 4 in Australasia...
Ubisoft - Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the PacificSilent Hunter 4: Wolves of the PacificSilent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific is a computer submarine simulation for Windows developed by Ubisoft Romania and published by Ubisoft in 2007. It places the player in command of an American submarine during World War II and takes place in the Pacific theater...
Ubisoft - Star Trek: LegacyStar Trek: LegacyStar Trek: Legacy is a video game released by Mad Doc Software for Windows-based PCs and Xbox 360. The game, a strategy/action and space combat game, was published by Bethesda Softworks...
Bethesda/Paramount - Star Trek: Tactical AssaultStar Trek: Tactical AssaultStar Trek: Tactical Assault is a Star Trek video game for the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable that was developed by Quicksilver Software, also the creators of Star Trek: Starfleet Command.-Single-player:...
Bethesda/Paramount - Star Trek: EncountersStar Trek: EncountersStar Trek: Encounters is a video game set in the Star Trek fictional universe., which was released on October 4, 2006, for the Sony PlayStation 2 console...
Bethesda/Paramount - Star Trek: ConquestStar Trek: ConquestStar Trek: Conquest is a video game set in the Star Trek universe. The game features both turn-based strategy and real time strategy gameplay...
Bethesda/Paramount - Dead Head FredDead Head Fredis a horror-themed action-adventure video game for the PlayStation Portable, developed by Vicious Cycle Software and published by D3 Publisher. It was released in North America on August 28, 2007 and is powered by Vicious Cycle's proprietary Vicious Engine. It features a premise that is a...
Vicious Cycle/D3 Publishing - Rayman Raving RabbidsRayman Raving RabbidsRayman Raving Rabbids, known in French as , is a spinoff in the Rayman series released by the French company Ubisoft as a Wii launch title. The game consists of over 70 minigames...
Ubisoft - HorsezHorsezHorsez is a videogame released by Ubisoft on October 26, 2006 for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PC and Game Boy Advance. This PC game is the sequel to Champion Dreams: First to Ride and is also part of the second series of Petz. In Horsez, you play as Flora , a new member of the Sycamore Academy...
Series Ubisoft - Marvel Universe Konami
- Blazing Angels Ubisoft
- Flushed AwayFlushed Away (video game)Flushed Away is an action-adventure video game based on the animated film of the same name and released in 2006 by Monkey Bar Games. It was released in Japan for the Nintendo DS as Volume 17 of the Simple series...
D3Publishing of America - Zathura Take 2 Interactive
- WarhawkWarhawk (PlayStation 3 game)Warhawk is a quick-paced multiplayer third-person shooter, vehicle and flight combat game developed by Incognito Entertainment exclusively for the PlayStation 3. It is a remake of an aerial warfare game of the same name, which was a launch title on the original PlayStation. Apart from the...
Promotional Trailers/SCEA - Lineage II, Scions of DestinyLineage IILineage II is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game for Microsoft Windows. It is a prequel to Lineage, and is set 150 years before the earlier game. It has become very popular since its October 1, 2003 launch in South Korea, reporting 1,000,918 unique users during the month of March 2007...
Promotional Trailer/NC Soft - Gauntlet: Seven SorrowsGauntlet: Seven SorrowsGauntlet: Seven Sorrows is the follow-up to Gauntlet Legends and Gauntlet Dark Legacy. Industry veterans John Romero and Josh Sawyer initially spearheaded Midway's San Diego studio, intent on reviving the Gauntlet action role-playing game franchise...
Midway - Rise and Fall: Civilizations at WarRise and Fall: Civilizations at WarRise and Fall: Civilizations at War is a real-time strategy game developed by both Stainless Steel Studios and Midway Games; it was released on June 12, 2006. The game incorporates segments of both third-person and first-person shooter gameplay, by allowing the player to temporarily control a "hero"...
Stainless Steel Studios - Prince of Persia: The Two ThronesPrince of Persia: The Two ThronesPrince of Persia: The Two Thrones is an action-adventure computer and video game developed and published by Ubisoft Montreal. It was released in December, 2005 in North America for the Xbox, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, and the Nintendo GameCube...
Promotional Trailers/Ubisoft - Heroes of Might and Magic VHeroes of Might and Magic VHeroes of Might and Magic V is the fifth installment of the Heroes of Might and Magic turn-based strategy video game series. It was developed by Nival Interactive, under the guidance of franchise-owner Ubisoft...
Promotional Trailers/Ubisoft - Jaws UnleashedJaws UnleashedJaws Unleashed is a 2006 video game licensed from the 1975 motion picture, Jaws. It was developed by Appaloosa Interactive and released by Majesco. Like the Grand Theft Auto series, the game is open-ended; the player can roam free throughout the water, feeding on other animals & humans and...
Majesco - Pac-Man World RallyPac-Man World RallyPac-Man World Rally, is a kart racing game in the Pac-Man's series. It is developed by Namco Bandai Games, and released in August 2006 for the PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation Portable, and Microsoft Windows...
Namco - Area 51Area 51 (first-person shooter)Area 51 is a first-person shooter survival horror video game that was released in 2005 and it was developed by Midway Studios Austin and published by Midway for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Microsoft Windows, and is a loose remake of the 1995 light gun video game of the same name...
Midway - Rise of the KasaiRise of the KasaiRise of the Kasai is an action game developed by BottleRocket Entertainment and published by Sony Computer Entertainment America for the PlayStation 2 video game console. Released in 2005, the game serves as a followup to the 2002 game The Mark of Kri...
Sony Computer Entertainment America - King ArthurKing Arthur (video game)-See also:* King Arthur: The Role-playing Wargame, King Arthur: The Role-playing Wargame ....
Konami/Touchstone Pictures - The Sims Bustin' OutThe Sims Bustin' OutThe Sims Bustin' Out is the second title in The Sims console series. Bustin' Out was released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance and N-Gage in the fourth quarter of . As the title suggests, the Sims can get out of the house to visit other locations such as Shiny Things...
Electronic Arts/Maxis - The Urbz Electronic Arts/Maxis
- The Hobbit Vivendi Universal Games/Sierra Entertainment
- Wars and Warriors: Joan of ArcWars and Warriors: Joan of ArcWars & Warriors: Joan of Arc is a historically-based computer game. Developed and published by Enlight, it was released in 2004. The player assumes the persona of Joan of Arc and leads the French in their attempt to win the Hundred Year's War...
Enlight Software - Star Wars Trilogy: Apprentice of the ForceStar Wars Trilogy: Apprentice of The ForceStar Wars Trilogy: Apprentice of the Force is a game for Nintendo's Game Boy Advance that follows Luke Skywalker through Star Wars episodes IV to VI. It has advanced graphics by the standards of the Game Boy Advance, using 3-D images for the character models. A player who beats the game is given...
Ubisoft - Monster Garage Activision
- Cabela's Big Game HunterCabela's Big Game Hunter (2007 video game)Cabela's Big Game Hunter is a video game for the PlayStation 2, Wii and Xbox 360 consoles. It was published by Activision. It features the hunting areas of Montana's Beartooth Mountains, British Columbia in Western Canada, Argentina's Patagonia Region, a savannah in the East African country of...
Activision - Dora The Explorer Monkey Bar Games/Nickelodeon
- Curious GeorgeCurious George (video game)Curious George is a video game published by Namco Bandai Games, and developed by Monkey Bar Games, a division of Vicious Cycle Software. The game was also published under Universal Pictures because of Universal Studio's work on the animated movie. It was released for the Nintendo GameCube, Game...
Vicious Cycle/Nickelodeon
Awards
- British Academy Award Best Original Score: Dead Space
- British Academy Award Use of Audio: Dead Space
- AIAS Outstanding Achievement in Audio: Dead Space
- AIAS Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition (finalist): Dead Space
- Game Developer's Choice Awards Audio Of The Year: Dead Space
- G.A.N.G. Audio Of The Year: Dead Space
- G.A.N.G. Sound Design Of The Year: Dead Space
- G.A.N.G. Music Of The Year (finalist): Dead Space
- BSO Spirit Award Best Videogame Score (nominee) :Dead Space
- Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Emmy Award-Winner
- G.A.N.G. Instrumental Of The Year (finalist) Blazing Angels 2
- G.A.N.G. Soundtrack Of The Year (finalist) Dead Head Fred
- G.A.N.G. Best Handheld Audio (finalist) Dead Head Fred
- G.A.N.G. Best Handheld Audio (finalist) Transformers
- G.A.N.G. Instrumental Of The Year (finalist) Star Trek
- G.A.N.G. Best Arrangement of a Score (finalist) Jaws
- G.A.N.G. Music Of The Year (finalist) King Arthur
- G.A.N.G. Best Choral Performance (finalist) King Arthur
- G.A.N.G. Soundtrack Of The Year Winner The Hobbit
- G.A.N.G. Instrumental Of The Year (finalist) The Hobbit
- G.A.N.G. Music Of The Year (finalist) The Hobbit
- G.A.N.G. Best Live Recording (finalist) The Hobbit
- G.A.N.G. Best Original Vocal Song (finalist) The Sims
- Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Rise of the Kasai
- TCM Young Film Composer Competition Second Prize
- TeamXbox Editor’s Choice The Hobbit
- TeamXbox Editor’s Choice The Sims
- TeamXbox Editor’s Choice Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
- The Telly Awards Six Time Winner
- The Gold Addy Award Six Time Winner
- The Cable ACE Award Winner