5

Beginning his career as a tabla player, Shelton Perera quickly expanded his skills to singing and film composing. The Sri Lankan musician directed the music for many films in his twenty year composing career.

4

Originally a jazz drummer, Christopher Young has scored many films during his long career. Most lauded for his work on horror and thriller scores, he gives back by teaching film scoring at USC.

3

Experimental composer Steve Reich is an accomplished percussionist. He’s known for his use of repetitive polyrhythms and has influenced thousands of contemporary composers. 

2

Original drummer with Sting’s former band, The Police, Stewart Copeland spent the nineties and noughties scoring movies and TV. Gamers will recognise his catchy tunes from the Spyro series. 

1

Cliff Martinez began his musical career in rock bands, most notably the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Now a prolific film and TV composer, he’s scored many Steven Soderbergh movies, including the disturbingly relevant Contagion.