*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.

- - -

THE JEREMIAH SHOW

Voices Carry - These Are Your Stories 

POP CULTURE, MUSIC ICONS, & FOOD GODS 

The Jeremiah Show - Please Subscribe & Rate - CLICK HERE

Check Out The Back Catalogs of Special Guests - CLICK HERE

To Become a Sponsor of The Jeremiah Show CLICK HERE for Media Deck and Rates

THE JEREMIAH SHOW BROUGHT TO YOU BY

evolve entertainment network - www.thejeremiahshow.com

Host | Executive Producer - Jeremiah D. Higgins

Senior Sound Designer | Producer - Graham Palmer | Surprise Studio

Be sure to check out these evolve entertainment network shows 

The Arwen Lewis Show, The Kimi Kato Show with Jeremiah, and The Mike Gormley Show

THE JEREMIAH SHOW PROUDLY FEATURES 

Music Connection Magazine - https://www.musicconnection.com/

MusiCares - MusiCares provides a safety net of critical health and welfare services to the music community - https://musicares.org/

Cuzen Matcha - https://cuzenmatcha.com/

Golda Zahra - https://www.goldazahra.com/

Whiplash PR & Management - https://www.whiplashprandmanagement.com

The Jeremiah Show Radio Broadcast is heard in London, Somerset, U.K., New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Ontario, Santa Barbara, Paris, and Los Angeles by Radio Candy Media, Radio Evolve, and Belter Radio, My Indie Radio Paris

JEREMIAH D. HIGGINS SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

GRAHAM PALMER’S WEBSITE Surprise Studio , On Instagram: Surprise Studio

Did you like the music in this episode? You can find the Original Music Soundtrack - CLICK HERE:  TJS Spotify Playlists

TJS Opening Theme Music By Sugizo "DO-FUNK Dance” 

TJS in REVERSE - Classic TJS Shows Drop Monday & Wednesday

NEW SHOWS - Every Friday

Loop In With Us!  PLEASE SUBSCRIBE to The Jeremiah Show Podcast to be alerted to new artist interviews: CLICK HERE

The Jeremiah Show airs on Radio Evolve Santa Barbara on Monday - Friday, 10 am - 12 pm - #TuneIn! -  https://radio-evolve.rocks/