John McDowell is an international award winning composer, pianist, percussionist, producer, and instructor whose work draws on classical, jazz, pop, and world music for inspiration. He has made an in-depth study of African and Native American music, including 3 years of study with 2 master drummers; Karamo Sabally and Mamdou-ly from the Senegal Ballet. Mr. McDowell wrote the music for the film, “Born Into Brothels” which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2005, the Audience Award at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, “Best Musical Score” at the Bend Film Festival 2004 as well as 25 other film awards. Films he has scored include: “A Son’s Sacrifice” (2006) and “The Water Talks To Me” (1989). He is currently slated to score 5 other films in 2006-07. As a composer, pianist, and percussionist, he regularly performs with the Born Into Brothels Ensemble and Mamma Tongue at major venues and festivals including the Montreal Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, and the United Nations.