Ya like jazz? Well, you’re not the only one.

A handful of impressively scored films from the last ten years have been composed by Justin Hurwitz, while the spectacular movies themselves have been written and directed by Damien Chazelle. You may be familiar with most of their films due to the sheer popularity and Oscar buzz they have received. 

From La La Land (2016) and Whiplash (2014) to Babylon (2022) and First Man (2018), the powerful duo that is Damien Chazelle and Justin Hurwitz have created visual and sonic masterpieces that will be remembered in film history. 

Attending Harvard University together, Chazelle and Hurwitz have worked together since the beginning of their careers. As a final thesis project for his last year at Harvard University, Chazelle wrote and directed Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench (2009), with none other than Justin Hurwitz as the musical aficionado behind the assignment. 

As their careers progressed, they remained close and continued to work together, all the while keeping jazz in the limelight of their projects. Whether it is a part of the films’ plotlines or keeping the soundtrack heavily influenced by jazz, this genre has remained vital to both Chazelle and Hurwitz. 

Their first popular collaboration is Whiplash, a thrilling, mind-bending story about a jazz drummer struggling to make a name for himself amidst incredible pressure from his conductor.

The release of Whiplash in 2014 also came with five Academy Award Nominations, putting Chazelle in the spotlight and, therefore, Hurwitz too. 

Continuing their work together, Chazelle wrote and directed the ever-so-popular romantic musical La La Land, with Hurwitz as the main contributor to the soundtrack. Proving true that jazz is a pinnacle part of the artists’ work, La La Land’s story focuses on a jazz pianist dreaming of opening his own jazz club in hopes of keeping jazz alive. 

With Chazelle receiving the Oscar for Best Director and Hurwitz winning Oscars for both Best Original Score and Best Original Song for La La Land, their names became even more well-known for those within the film realm.

Their following collaboration did not keep jazz as a plot point, but did incorporate airy jazz as the soundtrack behind the story. First Man is a story about Neil Armstrong and his journey to being the first man on the moon.

As for their latest work together, Babylon is also not a story solely focused on jazz, but oh, is it present throughout the film!

Since the story is set and focused on Hollywood during the 1920s, the trumpet and trombone are key to keeping this story on track sonically. The original soundtrack by Justin Hurwitz creates a thrilling and exciting environment for those watching the movie. All of the emotions felt throughout Babylon’s party scenes are backed by Hurwitz’s musical talent. 

Similar to the artistic and personal relationship between Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, I believe that impactful art becomes even more inspirational when a powerful duo is involved. 

Throughout film history, learning about popular directors is par for the course, but when you hear of popular film duos, the art becomes more meaningful. A new backstory is created and can be seen in the work they create together. These relationships in art, and especially in the film, make for a deeper story than what we see and hear on the screen. It becomes reality. 

As for Damien Chazelle and Justin Hurwitz, I cannot wait to see what they create next. 

Article Courtesy of Katie Mann

IMAGE CREDIT: SONIA RECCHIA/GETTY