{{Short description|American composer and music producer}} {{AI-generated|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Jay Wadley | image = 2022JayWadleyOffice.jpg | alt = | caption = Wadley in 2022 | birth_place = Edmond, Oklahoma, U.S. | occupation = Composer, music producer | education = {{Plainlist| * Yale School of Music (MM)(AD) * Oklahoma City University (BM) }} | notable_works = ''I'm Thinking of Ending Things'', ''Swan Song'', ''Driveways'', ''Franklin'' | years_active = 2010–present | website = {{URL|https://www.jaywadley.com}} }}
'''Jay Wadley''' is an American composer and music producer based in New York City, known for his work in film, television, and contemporary classical music. He is a two-time winner of the Charles Ives Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters<ref>{{cite web |title=Nieuwe serie 'Before' met Billy Crystal krijgt muziek van Jay Wadley |url=https://www.npoklassiek.nl/klassiek/seriemuziek/3a1d5120-0e2b-4982-bb13-1cd121a7f732/nieuwe-serie-before-met-billy-crystal-krijgt-muziek-van-jay-wadley |website=NPO Klassiek |language=nl |date=8 October 2024}}</ref> and was nominated twice at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards under the best original score category in 2020 and 2021.
== Early life and education == Wadley was born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma. During his senior year at Edmond Memorial High School, he composed his first choir piece for 60 classmates to perform at a school talent show. After graduating in 2001, he studied music composition at Oklahoma City University under composer Edward Knight. After completing his undergraduate degree, Wadley pursued a Master's degree in Music Composition at the Yale School of Music studying under Aaron Jay Kernis, Martin Bresnick and Ezra Laderman. During his time at Yale, he also worked as an assistant manager at the Yale Center for Studies in Music Technology, taught undergraduate composition and contributed to various projects, including orchestral works with the Yale Philharmonia.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bryce |first1=Courtney |title=Yale student aims to compose music for films |url=https://www.normantranscript.com/edmond/yale-student-aims-to-compose-music-for-films/article_c047ecb0-1020-58af-853f-3439f44fb974.html |website= The Edmond Sun|language=en |date=30 October 2007}}</ref>
== Career == === Film and television === Wadley is best known for composing the score for the 2020 film ''I'm Thinking of Ending Things'', directed by Charlie Kaufman. The film, an adaptation of Iain Reid's novel, received critical acclaim, and Wadley's score was particularly praised for its haunting and atmospheric quality.<ref>{{cite web | title = I'm Thinking of Ending Things' Music Explained | url = https://www.polygon.com/21434197/im-thinking-of-ending-things-ending-meaning-explained-music-composer-jay-wadley | website = Polygon | date = September 4, 2020 | access-date = January 16, 2025 }}</ref> Wadley incorporated orchestral textures and dissonant harmonies to reflect the film's psychological tension, drawing inspiration from avant-garde composers and classic Hollywood scores.<ref>{{cite web | title = Interview: Composer Jay Wadley on the Score for 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things' | url = https://awardsradar.com/2021/02/04/interview-composer-jay-wadley-on-the-score-for-im-thinking-of-ending-things/ | website = Awards Radar | date = February 4, 2021 | access-date = January 16, 2025 }}</ref> In addition to composing the score, Wadley composed an original ballet for the film's climactic sequence, as well as a 1950s-style jingle and adaptations of songs from the musical Oklahoma!.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lattanzio |first1=Ryan |title='I'm Thinking of Ending Things' Composer on the Score's Influences and That Final Ballet — Watch |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/im-thinking-of-ending-things-composer-jay-wadley-score-1234584669/ |website=IndieWire |date=9 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Schonfeld |first1=Zach |title='I'm Thinking of Ending Things' Composer Interview |url=https://www.spin.com/2020/09/what-does-the-memory-of-music-sound-like-an-interview-with-the-im-thinking-of-ending-things-music-composer/ |website=SPIN |date=11 September 2020}}</ref>
He also composed the score for the period drama series ''Franklin'', which presented the challenge of creating a sound that matched the show's historical setting.<ref>{{cite web | title = Jay Wadley discusses scoring 'Franklin' in exclusive interview | url = https://www.goldderby.com/feature/jay-wadley-franklin-composer-video-interview-1205808294/ | website = Gold Derby | date = 2024 | access-date = January 16, 2025 }}</ref> For ''Franklin'', Wadley combined period-accurate instrumentation with contemporary harmonic structures to evoke the era's historical depth while maintaining a modern sensibility.<ref>{{cite web | title = On the Score Interview with Jay Wadley | url = https://www.filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.cfm?archive=0&threadID=156763 | website = Film Score Monthly | date = 2024 | access-date = January 16, 2025 }}</ref>
In 2021, Wadley scored the film ''Swan Song'', where his music was noted for its emotional depth and complementing the film's narrative.<ref>{{cite web | title = 'Swan Song': First Exclusive Tracks From Mahershala Ali Film | url = https://deadline.com/2021/12/swan-song-first-exclusive-tracks-from-mahershala-ali-film-jay-wadley-1234887226/ | website = Deadline | date = December 2021 | access-date = January 16, 2025 }}</ref> For ''Swan Song'', Wadley utilized minimalistic piano motifs and ambient soundscapes to underscore the film's themes of memory and identity.<ref>{{cite web | title = Jay Wadley on Crafting the Score for 'Swan Song' | url = https://www.awardsdaily.com/2021/12/swan-song-crafts/ | website = Awards Daily | date = December 2021 | access-date = January 16, 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Award-Winning Composer Jay Wadley On Making Music for Period Piece FRANKLIN - AMFM Magazine.tv |url=https://www.amfm-magazine.tv/award-winning-composer-jay-wadley-on-making-music-for-period-piece-franklin/# |website=AMFM Magazine |date=13 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Tangcay |first1=Jazz |title=How the 'Swan Song' Score Evokes Drama and Sci-Fi |url=https://variety.com/2021/awards/awards/swan-song-mahershala-ali-score-jay-wadley-1235131074/ |website=Variety |date=10 December 2021}}</ref>
=== Other works === In addition to his film and television work, Wadley has been involved in contemporary classical compositions and live performances. He has collaborated with various orchestras, ensembles, and artists on projects that explore new sonic landscapes.<ref>{{cite web | title = Weaving the Right Notes: Composer Jay Wadley Finds Influence in the Past to Create Modern | url = https://www.abqjournal.com/lifestyle/weaving-the-right-notes-composer-jay-wadley-finds-influence-in-the-past-to-create-modern/article_a09da8a6-f550-11ee-b8d8-37bc4274d3ff.html | website = Albuquerque Journal | date = 2024 | access-date = January 16, 2025 }}</ref>
== Awards and recognition == Wadley's work has garnered industry recognition, including being featured twice in ''IndieWire''{{'}}s "10 Best Scores of the Year" lists.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cristi |first1=A. A. |title=Films.Dance MATCH, Featuring 46 Dancers Across 20 Cities Worldwide, Streaming Now |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/FilmsDance-MATCH-Featuring-46-Dancers-Across-20-Cities-Worldwide-Streaming-Now-20210216 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref> His score for ''Indignation'' was included in the 2016 list,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ehrlich |first1=David |title=The 10 Best Movie Scores of 2016 |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/best-movie-scores-2016-moonlight-la-la-land-kubo-handmaiden-jackie-1201760506/ |website=IndieWire |date=19 December 2016}}</ref> while his work on ''Driveways'' and ''I'm Thinking of Ending Things'' earned him a spot on the 2020 list.<ref>{{cite web | title = Netflix's 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things' Music: Ballet Scene Meaning Explained | url = https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/periods-genres/film-tv/netflix-thinking-ending-things-music-ballet-scene-meaning/ | website = Classic FM | date = 2020 | access-date = January 16, 2025 }}</ref> His journey as a composer, from punk rock to scoring for Sundance-featured films, was profiled in an industry feature.<ref>{{cite web | title = From Punk Rock to Sundance: An Interview with Jay Wadley | url = https://www.cineconcerts.com/features/2020/3/27/from-punk-rock-to-sundance-an-interview-with-jay-wadley | website = CineConcerts | date = 2020 | access-date = January 16, 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ehrlich |first1=David |title=The 10 Best Film Scores of 2020 |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/best-film-scores-2020-1234605245/ |website=IndieWire |date=23 December 2020}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" |+ !Award !Category !Film !Results !{{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- |ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards |Television Theme of the Year |''Franklin'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite web |title=ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards 2025 |url=https://www.ascap.com/news-events/awards/2025/composers-choice |website=ASCAP |date=2025 |access-date=March 14, 2025}}</ref> |- |11th Hollywood Music in Media Awards |Best Original Score — Short Film (Live Action) |''The Water Walker'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 Music In Visual Media Nominations |url=https://www.hmmawards.com/2020-music-in-visual-media-nominations/ |website=Hollywood Music In Media Awards}}</ref> |- |12th Hollywood Music in Media Awards |Best Original Score — Short Film (Live Action) |''The Box'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 Music In Visual Media Nominations |url=https://www.hmmawards.com/2021-music-in-visual-media-nominations/ |website=Hollywood Music In Media Awards}}</ref> |- |Indiana Film Journalists Association Award |Best Musical Score |''I'm Thinking of Ending Things'' |{{nom}} | |}
== Selected filmography == * ''Henry Johnson'' (2025) * ''The Wedding Banquet'' (2025) * ''Heart Eyes'' (2025) * ''Franklin'' (2024) * ''Before'' (2024) * ''The Friend'' (2024) * ''We Grown Now'' (2023) * ''Fire Island'' (2022) * ''Tell Me Lies'' (2022) * ''Swan Song'' (2021) * ''I'm Thinking of Ending Things'' (2020) * ''Long Shot'' (2017) * ''Indignation'' (2016) * ''CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story'' (2013)
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://www.jaywadley.com}} * {{IMDb name|3044268}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wadley, Jay}} Category:Living people Category:21st-century American composers Category:American film score composers Category:American male film score composers Category:American male television composers Category:American television composers Category:Edmond Memorial High School alumni Category:Musicians from Oklahoma Category:Oklahoma City University alumni Category:People from Edmond, Oklahoma Category:Record producers from Oklahoma Category:Yale School of Music alumni Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:21st-century American male composers