David Nichtern
Encyclopedia
David Nichtern is an American
songwriter
and television composer
, soundtrack
artist and Buddhist teacher.
producer
Claire Nichtern, the first female Tony award
winner. He began his career as a professional musician during his college years at Columbia University
, having begun practicing music at age eight. He served as director of sales for the New England Digital Corporation in the 1980s. He is the founder of music-marketing company Nudgie Music LLC, and its divisions Dharma Moon and 5 Points Records. He wrote the song "Midnight at the Oasis
".
He has his own world/fusion band, Drala and has also released a solo record entitled From Here To Nichternity, which features 5 cuts that were originally cues on One Life to Live
, in addition to an instrumental duet of "Midnight at the Oasis" showcasing Michael Brecker. David Nichtern is also a member of The Beyman Bros
, an instrumental trio featuring Nichtern, Christopher Guest
and C.J. Vanston.
Beginning in 1970, Nichtern became a student of the Shambhala Buddhist tradition of Tibetan Buddhism
, and was taught by the founder, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Nichtern has since become a senior teacher. He is married to Cyndi Lee, a yoga teacher who founded the OM yoga center in New York City
, with whom he has created a DVD package on yoga, OM Yoga & Meditation Workshop. The couple also teaches yoga internationally. Nichtern is the director of expansion for Shambhala Training
, having previously worked as the director of the Karme Choling
Meditation Center in Vermont
.
The label's first release, the first installment of the Rare Elements series, brought together an eclectic mix of talent that involved original works by acclaimed musician Ustad Sultan Khan being remixed by a variety of modern artists, including Thievery Corporation
, Joe Claussell
, Nickodemus And Osiris and others.
Their next release - Still Life by Kodomo - is a collection of minimal electro tracks representing a set of photos Kodomo took while traveling in Italy, Japan the US, China, etc. The album is due out October 7, 2008.
Other upcoming releases include the debut LP from Lizzy Grant ("Velvet Underground meets Marilyn Monroe
meets Mazzy Star
") and the 2nd installment of their Rare Elements series featuring remixes of Omar Faruk Tekbilek
by Amon Tobin
, Junior Sanchez
, Tommie Sunshine
, Flosstradamus
, and more.
and As the World Turns
. He won the award in 2000, for One Life to Live, 2001 for As the World Turns, and 2005 for One Life to Live. He has also been nominated for a Grammy award
.
His first DE nomination was shared with Sybil Costello, Pamela Magee, James Kowal, Gary Deinstadt, Robert Bard, Billy Barber, Earl Rose, Rick Rhodes
, Robert Sands
, Ed Dzubak, Kevin Bents Jamie Lawrence
, and Bette Sussman
. His first win was shared with Paul Glass, Jamie Howarth
, Dominic Messinger
, Kevin Bents, Lee Holdridge
, Bette Sussman
, and Rob Mounsey
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and television 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...
, soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
artist and Buddhist teacher.
Biography
Nichtern is the son of broadwayBroadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
producer
Theatrical producer
A theatrical producer is the person ultimately responsible for overseeing all aspects of mounting a theatre production. The independent producer will usually be the originator and finder of the script and starts the whole process...
Claire Nichtern, the first female Tony award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
winner. He began his career as a professional musician during his college years at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, having begun practicing music at age eight. He served as director of sales for the New England Digital Corporation in the 1980s. He is the founder of music-marketing company Nudgie Music LLC, and its divisions Dharma Moon and 5 Points Records. He wrote the song "Midnight at the Oasis
Midnight at the Oasis
A version of this song was recorded by the group Brand New Heavies, attributed to "Brand New Heavies featuring N'Dea Davenport". This version reached #13 in the UK in 1994 and was their biggest hit up until the departure of Davenport, when Sometimes made #11....
".
He has his own world/fusion band, Drala and has also released a solo record entitled From Here To Nichternity, which features 5 cuts that were originally cues on One Life to Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
, in addition to an instrumental duet of "Midnight at the Oasis" showcasing Michael Brecker. David Nichtern is also a member of The Beyman Bros
The Beyman Bros
The Beyman Bros are Christopher Guest , David Nichtern and C.J. Vanston . Their music is an instrumental mix of Americana, bluegrass and jazz elements...
, an instrumental trio featuring Nichtern, Christopher Guest
Christopher Guest
Christopher Haden-Guest, 5th Baron Haden-Guest , better known as Christopher Guest, is an American screenwriter, composer, musician, director, actor and comedian. He is most widely known in Hollywood for having written, directed and starred in several improvisational "mockumentary" films that...
and C.J. Vanston.
Beginning in 1970, Nichtern became a student of the Shambhala Buddhist tradition of Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
, and was taught by the founder, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Nichtern has since become a senior teacher. He is married to Cyndi Lee, a yoga teacher who founded the OM yoga center in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, with whom he has created a DVD package on yoga, OM Yoga & Meditation Workshop. The couple also teaches yoga internationally. Nichtern is the director of expansion for Shambhala Training
Shambhala Training
Shambhala Training is a secular approach to meditation developed by the late Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chogyam Trungpa and his students. It is based on what Trungpa calls Shambhala Vision, which sees enlightened society as not purely mythical, but as realizable by people of all faiths through...
, having previously worked as the director of the Karme Choling
Karmê Chöling
Originally known as "Tail of the Tiger", Karmê Chöling is a Buddhist and Shambhala retreat center in Barnet, Vermont that was founded by the Tibetan Buddhist meditation master and scholar Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and his students in 1970. Trungpa Rinpoche is widely regarded as one of the first...
Meditation Center in Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
.
5 Points Records
5 Points Records is a privately held label based in New York City founded by David Nichtern. Its sister companies include the world-lifestyle label Dharma Moon, the custom label 5 Points V.I.P. and the music publishing company Nudgie Tunes.The label's first release, the first installment of the Rare Elements series, brought together an eclectic mix of talent that involved original works by acclaimed musician Ustad Sultan Khan being remixed by a variety of modern artists, including Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation is a Washington, D.C. based recording artist and DJ duo consisting of Rob Garza, Eric Hilton, and their supporting artists, including current drummer Jeff Franca...
, Joe Claussell
Joe Claussell
Joaquin "Joke Laws-L" Claussell is a New York DJ, music producer, record label owner and former manager of Dance Trax record shop then based in the East Village, Manhattan, New York City, USA....
, Nickodemus And Osiris and others.
Their next release - Still Life by Kodomo - is a collection of minimal electro tracks representing a set of photos Kodomo took while traveling in Italy, Japan the US, China, etc. The album is due out October 7, 2008.
Other upcoming releases include the debut LP from Lizzy Grant ("Velvet Underground meets Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
meets Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star is an American alternative rock band formed in Santa Monica, California, in 1989 from the group Opal, a collaboration of guitarist David Roback and bassist Kendra Smith...
") and the 2nd installment of their Rare Elements series featuring remixes of Omar Faruk Tekbilek
Omar Faruk Tekbilek
Ömer Faruk Tekbilek , also known as Omar Faruk Tekbilek, is a Turkish flautist. He is known for his performances with the ney in a Sufi style...
by Amon Tobin
Amon Tobin
Amon Adonai Santos de Araújo Tobin , known as Amon Tobin, is a Brazilian musician, composer and producer of electronic music. He is described as a virtuoso sound designer and is considered to be one of the most influential electronic music artists in the world...
, Junior Sanchez
Junior Sanchez
Junior Sanchez is a record producer, DJ, artist, and remixer. His remixing and production skills are in demand by artists, including Madonna, Gorrilaz, Daft Punk, Placebo, Shakira, Les Rythmes Digitales, and Róisín Murphy. Junior Sanchez has produced albums and tracks for Katy Perry, Ima Robot,...
, Tommie Sunshine
Tommie Sunshine
Tommie Sunshine is a record producer, remixer, DJ and songwriter of electronic music from Chicago currently living in Brooklyn, New York. He is perhaps best known for creating dance remixes to popular rock and alternative songs, by artists such as Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco, Good Charlotte,...
, Flosstradamus
Flosstradamus
Flosstradamus is the stage name of Chicago-based DJs J2K and Autobot .They have performed at events such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Pitchfork Music Festival, Rothbury Music Festival, Lollapalooza, and South by Southwest...
, and more.
Awards and nominations
Nichtern has been nominated for ten Daytime Emmy awards from 2000 to 2006, in the category "Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series", for his work on One Life to LiveOne Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
and As the World Turns
As the World Turns
As the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
. He won the award in 2000, for One Life to Live, 2001 for As the World Turns, and 2005 for One Life to Live. He has also been nominated for a Grammy award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
.
His first DE nomination was shared with Sybil Costello, Pamela Magee, James Kowal, Gary Deinstadt, Robert Bard, Billy Barber, Earl Rose, Rick Rhodes
Rick Rhodes
Rick Rhodes was an American musician and television composer.-Biography:Rhodes was born in Los Angeles, California. During his adult years, he toured the U.S...
, Robert Sands
Robert Sands
Robert Sands may refer to:*Robert Sands , American artist*Robert Sands , conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir*Bobby Sands , member of the Irish Republican Army...
, Ed Dzubak, Kevin Bents Jamie Lawrence
Jamie Lawrence
Jamie Lawrence is an English-born Jamaican professional footballer and former manager of Southern League side Ashford Town...
, and Bette Sussman
Bette Sussman
Bette Sussman is an American television composer, singer, songwriter, pianist, and musical director.-Early life:Sussman was musically inspired by her mother and older sister, Sue. After her mother signed her up for piano lessons at age four, she studied classical music till she graduated from high...
. His first win was shared with Paul Glass, Jamie Howarth
Jamie Howarth
Jamie Howarth is an American television and film composer and musical director. Howarth also restores damaged soundtracks from old films. He owns a company for sound restoration, called Plangent Processes. One of its more notable restorations is the soundtrack for the 1958 production of South...
, Dominic Messinger
Dominic Messinger
Dominic Messinger is an American soap opera composer. He began his work in soapmusic on "General Hospital", and has since co-written and composed over one hundred original songs for various soaps...
, Kevin Bents, Lee Holdridge
Lee Holdridge
Lee Holdridge is a Haitian-born American television composer and orchestrator.-Biography:He was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, of a Puerto-Rican mother and an American father, the botanist an climatologist Leslie Holdridge...
, Bette Sussman
Bette Sussman
Bette Sussman is an American television composer, singer, songwriter, pianist, and musical director.-Early life:Sussman was musically inspired by her mother and older sister, Sue. After her mother signed her up for piano lessons at age four, she studied classical music till she graduated from high...
, and Rob Mounsey
Rob Mounsey
Rob Mounsey is an award-winning composer, music producer, and musician. He was born in Berea, Ohio and grew up in Seattle, Washington and several Ohio towns. At the age of 17, he was awarded a BMI Student Composer's Award in New York. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston from 1971 to 1975...
.
Composing credits
- The Student Teachers (1973)
- Sapphire Man (1988)
- The Big PictureThe Big Picture (film)The Big Picture is a 1989 comedy film starring Kevin Bacon and directed by Christopher Guest.-Plot:In a fictionalized version of Tinseltown itself, Nick Chapman is an up and coming film director hot off the win of a student academy award for his short film. No sooner does the award bring him into...
(1989) - One Life to LiveOne Life to LiveOne Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
(1995–2007) - As the World TurnsAs the World TurnsAs the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
Soundtrack credits
- The Big Picture (1989)
- Perfect Witness (1989)
- American PieAmerican Pie (film)American Pie is a 1999 teen comedy film written by Adam Herz. American Pie was the directorial film debut of brothers Paul and Chris Weitz, and the first film in the American Pie film series...
(1999) - The WireThe Wire (TV series)The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States...
(2003)