*Dedicated in loving memory to Eddie Palmieri, the legendary Latin jazz pianist and bandleader, who was born on December 15, 1936, in Spanish Harlem, New York, and passed away on August 6, 2025, at the age of 88, at his home in New Jersey after an extended illness. He was a pioneering figure in salsa and Latin Jazz, known for blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms with jazz, and was the first Latino to win a Grammy.
The Legendary Hollywood Film Composers Series, brought to you by The Jeremiah Show and Executive Producer Carol Connors, Featuring Howard Drossin
Step inside the creative world of Howard Drossin, one of the most versatile composer-producers working in film, television, and video games. From his early days as Music Director at SEGA to scoring iconic titles like Sonic & Knuckles, Comix Zone, Afro Samurai, and Splatterhouse, Drossin has built a reputation for blending orchestral depth with punk, metal, hip-hop, and jazz.
In this exclusive interview on The Jeremiah Show, Drossin discusses his genre-bending approach to composition, his long-running collaboration with RZA on The Man With the Iron Fists films, and his newest work on the acclaimed feature Highest 2 Lowest by Director Spike Lee. He breaks down his process, the emotional architecture behind his music, and the moments that shaped his career as one of today’s most innovative storytellers in sound.
Whether you’re a fan of film scores, game soundtracks, or behind-the-scenes Hollywood craft, this deep dive into Howard’s work offers rare insight into a composer who continues to redefine modern scoring.
TAKEAWAYS
How classical composers like Rimsky-Korsakov and film composers like John Williams shaped his artistic DNA.
Why orchestral “color” and emotional storytelling drew him into composing.
He considers himself a lifelong student of music and studies new composers constantly.
How walks, silence, and stepping away from instruments help him solve creative problems.
His belief in simplicity: removing notes rather than adding.
How feedback — especially from Spike Lee — has sharpened his instincts.
How his wife, a visual artist, contributes to his process and narrative instincts.
His unexpected entry into video game scoring and how a single phone call from a Sega VP changed his life.
Long-Term Collaboration with Spike Lee
How Spike challenges him to be better and gives him freedom with clear direction.
Making Highest to Lowest
How the final end-title song (with Aiyana-Lee) was recorded live on set and constructed musically.
How each musician contributed: Fergus McCreadie, A$AP Rocky, Norm Lewis, Jensen McRae, and Eddie Palmieri.
He tells young composers: "Put something down. Trust yourself, but be open.”
“Let the music go where it wants to go.”
Why Highest to Lowest feels like his “call-up to the majors.”
Highest 2 Lowest, Director: Spike Lee. Producers: Todd Black, Jason Michael Berman. Screenplay: Alan Fox. Starring Denzel Washington, A$AP Rocky, Ice Spice, Jeffrey Wright, Dean Winters. Distributed by: Apple TV, A24 https://a24films.com/
Watch it on AppleTV and Amazon.
CONNECT with Howard Drossin– https://howarddrossin.com/
LISTEN to Howard Drossin’s Music
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY
Listen More. Evolve.
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