Jon Kull (composer)

Jon Kull is an American orchestrator and composer known for his contributions to film music. He has collaborated with leading Hollywood composers, including James Horner, Elmer Bernstein, Christopher Young, and James Newton Howard, amassing over 200 film credits.

Early life and education

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Colorado, Kull began studying piano at age six under the tutelage of his mother, a church musician. He expanded his musical repertoire during his youth by learning trumpet and participating in choir. His early exposure to music, particularly the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, fostered a deep appreciation for counterpoint.

Kull pursued higher education at the University of Colorado at Boulder, earning bachelor's degrees in piano and composition, followed by a master's degree in piano performance. He further honed his skills in film scoring at the University of Southern California.

Career

Throughout his career, Kull has orchestrated music for numerous high-profile films, such as Avatar, Black Panther, The Hunger Games series, King Kong, and Mary Poppins Returns. His versatility extends to session conducting and arranging for artists like Kathleen Battle, Christopher Parkening, and Neil Diamond. In addition to his orchestration work, Kull has composed original scores for films, including Lone Wolf and Be Somebody.

In 2019, he was commissioned by the Dallas Chamber Symphony to write an original musical score for The Goat starring Buster Keaton. It premiered during a concert screening at Moody Performance Hall on February 16, 2016, with Richard McKay conducting.

Kull's expertise has led him to academic roles, such as teaching at the Los Angeles College of Music and authoring courses for Berklee Online's film scoring master's program.