The subtle nuances of composer Marcelo Zarvos’ style are exemplified in his recent scores for Netflix's Kpop Demon Hunters, The Diplomat, May December directed by Todd Haynes, and Nonnas directed by Stephen Chbosky. Zarvos and Chbosky previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed film Wonder starring Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts. Zarvos’ musical training began by studying classical music followed by exploring jazz, rock, and world music. This expansion inspired Zarvos to create his trademark sound – a seamless blend of classical, orchestral, rock, electronic, and various ethnic elements, including his Brazilian roots which fueled emotionally charged music for film, TV, and the concert stage.
Initially studying classical music, Zarvos attended Berklee College of Music and CalArts. At these institutions, he expanded his knowledge of classical piano studies with jazz and world music. In addition to music, CalArts and Berklee were opportunities for Zarvos to grow his artistic background with non-music studies including dance, art history, and film. After developing a deeper understanding of all aspects of filmmaking, Zarvos burst onto the film landscape in the early 2000s with his score for Kissing Jessica Stein and film adaptation of the John Irving novel, The Door in the Floor. Zarvos’ credits include The Good Shepherd, The Words, Brooklyn’s Finest, The Face of Love, Reaching for the Moon, Sin Nombre, Hollywoodland, Adult Beginners, The Humbling, Little Accidents, American Ultra and Enough Said.
With his layered motifs and emotive undertones, Zarvos became the go-to composer for filmmakers including Todd Haynes (May December, Dark Waters), Antoine Fuqua (The Equalizer 3, The Guilty, Emancipation) Nicole Holofcener (Enough Said, Please Give), Tod Williams (The Door in the Floor), Ross Katz (The Choice), Cary Fukunaga (Sin Nombre), Barry Levinson (The Humbling, You Don’t Know Jack, Rock the Kasbah).
Zarvos’ television scores have received accolades. He was twice Emmy® nominated for You Don’t Know Jack and Taking Chance. His other television credits include The Affair, Ray Donovan, Too Big to Fail, the HBO movie Phil Spector, the Amazon series One Mississippi, Z: The Beginning Of Everything, and the limited series The Romanoffs for Amazon.
