Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher White
Hi Christopher, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My artistic practice finds its roots in my life as a performing musician. As a saxophonist, I have performed with musicians on stages around the world, including Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Billy Ocean, Paul Anka, Taj Mahal, Noel Gallagher, George Benson, Gregory Porter, Michael Bublé, Bobby Womack, Mavis Staples, and Maceo Parker. From 2010 to 2024, I toured with Van Morrison as a performer and arranger, recording six albums with him.
Originally from Auckland, New Zealand, I won the Best Jazz Album of the Year at the Aotearoa Music Awards in 1999 with my bandmate Aaron Nevezie. Shortly after, I moved to London to further my music career.
In 2007, I graduated with a master’s degree in composition from the National Film and Television School (UK). Over the last decade, I have worked as a versatile composer whose work spans feature films, television dramas, and documentaries. My scores have premiered at prestigious festivals such as Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW, Dinard, and CPH, and have been featured on major platforms including Amazon, Netflix, BBC, and Channel 4.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor,” the saying goes, and naturally, the road to success is anything but smooth. The business of show is a harsh and unforgiving terrain, demanding a certain numbness to navigate the emotional and artistic obstacles it presents—whether these hurdles are self-imposed or thrown by others.
In 1997, I moved from New Zealand to the UK, an uprooting that, perhaps, one never fully reconciles. The constant need for self-justification—that this struggle is worthwhile and will eventually lead to something significant—permeates every decision, underscoring the preciousness of time. “I’m not here to waste time” becomes a mantra.
Cultural assimilation and competing with local musicians who share long-term bonds pose additional challenges. These struggles harden you to setbacks, yet I wonder if this relentless push forward leaves no room for reset. Perhaps the biggest struggle in this profession is self-care. Being kind to oneself is rarely prioritised, and is overshadowed by a perpetual drive to forge ahead.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I compose music for film and television. My main focus is to create music that scores the psyche of the film. I aim to lock into this and use whatever I can to make this happen. I see myself as a filmmaker, working in a team, to tell a story. My background as a session musician and my time working in high pressure studio environments has taught me how to work fast and efficiently. It has also led me to be connected with a lot of talented musicians who I can call upon for my score work.
How do you think about luck?
Luck is a huge aspect of this profession. The most important thing is how prepared you are for it, whether good or bad.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.christopherwhite.online
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christopher.white_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chriswhitemusic
- Twitter: https://x.com/longspaces
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChrisWhite_HQ
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/chriswhite
Image Credits
Batu Akyol
Dennis José Vilaça