Named by the Hollywood Reporter as a top composers to look out for, Deborah Lurie has repeatedly proven herself to be one of the most versatile composers and arrangers in Hollywood.
Music has always been a visual experience for Lurie. She was born with perfect pitch as well as a rare condition called Synesthesia, which allows her to identify every note by seeing a specific, corresponding color in her mind’s eye--and won her a childhood nickname as Palo Alto’s "human pitch-pipe." She became fully aware of these talents in the tenth grade while excelling at music theory—a newly "academic" subject she had largely taught herself with colors since she had heard her first scale. It became evident that Lurie wouldn’t just continue to pursue music out of passion, but make a career of it as well.
Deborah Lurie began her career by scoring short films like the celebrated "George Lucas in Love." In the years following, Lurie worked as an orchestrator on studio films such as "The X-Files" and "X-Men 2," and as a composer for additional music on "Bubble Boy" and "View From The Top." In 2004, she reunited with "Lucas in Love" director Joe Nussbaum, scoring the pre-teen comedy "Sleepover" for MGM. In 2005, she scored the Lasse Hallström film "An Unfinished Life." In the following years she went on to score acclaimed films such as “The Little Traitor,” and the Tim Burton-produced animated feature "9." Debbie scored a second Lasse Hallström film: "Dear John" in 2010; which earned her a ASCAP Film and Television Music Award honored in Top Box Office Films. Most recently, Debbie scored the box office hit “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never,” the Disney release, “Prom,” and Paramount Picture's "Footloose" starring Julianne Hough, Kenny Wormald, and Dennis Quaid.
Lurie has worked frequently with Danny Elfman, composing additional music for "Wanted," "Spiderman 3," and the IMAX film "Deep Sea: 3D" as well as arranging/orchestrating for "Charlotte's Web," "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory," and "Alice in Wonderland."
In addition to work on film scores, Lurie has an extensive background as an arranger and producer of pop, rock, and theater music. Lurie has arranged for such artists as Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Perri, Hoobastank, Papa Roach, 3 Doors Down, Creed, Hawthorne Heights, Daughtry, The All-American Rejects, Bon Jovi, and Adam Lambert. The #1 hit single “The Reason” by Hoobastank marked the beginning of Lurie's longest and most prolific collaboration in rock music with Grammy Nominated producer Howard Benson.
Lurie's work in pop music began with productions for the live stage, including arranging and producing the music for The Pussycat Dolls' live appearance at The Roxy, starring Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, and Carmen Electra. Deborah is also recognized for arranging/producing the music for the Off Broadway musical "Bare" and Vegas' hit show "PeepShow," staring Holly Madison at Planet Hollywood Casino. In film, Lurie’s arrangements appear in the musicals "Dreamgirls" and "Fame."
Deborah Lurie’s career certainly is one to follow as her contributions to film, music, and stage continue to reach fans all over the world.
