From Queens
to New Orleans
From New York's stages and studios to an Academy Award, a Grammy nomination, and some of New Orleans' most important recordings — the career of Donald Markowitz is, above all else, a study in what it means to be devoted to craft.
New York City
Born in New York
Donald Markowitz was born and raised in New York City — and the city shaped everything that followed.
Bass Player — New York's Legendary Stages
Donald began his career as a bass player, performing with Speedo and the Cadillacs and many other well-known artists of the era. He played the Apollo Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, the Cotton Club, and Roseland Ballroom.
Arms Akimbo & Sam Shepard
His band Arms Akimbo performed and wrote the music for Sam Shepard's "The Tooth of Crime" at the La Mama Theatre in New York. He also composed for the WPA Theatre, the Old Globe in San Diego, and The Falcon Theatre in Los Angeles.
Academy Award — "(I've Had) The Time of My Life"
Donald co-writes "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" with Franke Previte and John DeNicola for the film Dirty Dancing. Written in October 1986 at his home studio on 85th Street and Central Park West in New York City, the song was intended for Chaka Khan and James Ingram before Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes recorded it. On April 11, 1988, Markowitz, Previte, and DeNicola accepted the Academy Award for Best Original Song from Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. The Golden Globe had been awarded earlier that year. The song also received a Grammy nomination and reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, selling over 32 million copies worldwide.
Donny & his dad
New York, early years
Speedo & the Cadillacs
1988 – 2010
Hollywood & Beyond
After winning the Oscar, Donald relocated to Los Angeles and spent the next two decades writing songs and scores for film and television.
Film & Television
Donald spent over twenty years in Hollywood writing songs and scores for film and television — scoring films for producers such as Arthur Cohn, spending five years as a songwriter for the Disney company, and three years working for producer Steven Bochco.
Van Morrison, Taj Mahal & More
Over his career, Donald produced, written, and recorded with Van Morrison, Taj Mahal, Bill Medley, and many others — building a reputation as a songwriter and producer who could work fluidly across genres.
Academy Award, 1988
With James Taylor
With Van Morrison & Taj Mahal
2011 – Present
New Orleans & Mid City Sound
In 2011, Donald and his family moved to the Broadmoor neighborhood of New Orleans. It was never a retirement — it was an elevation.
Arrival in New Orleans
Donald and his family moved to New Orleans in 2011, where he worked out of world-famous Esplanade Studios. The city's unparalleled musical DNA — the second lines, the brass band tradition, the deep funk heritage — drew him immediately into its creative community, leading to the founding of Mid City Sound Studios and the start of the next chapter of his career.
Grammy Nomination — Bobby Rush, Decisions
Donald produces Bobby Rush's album Decisions, featuring a duet with Dr. John on the Markowitz co-written song "Another Murder in New Orleans." The album earns a 2014 Grammy Award nomination for Best Blues Album.
Mid City Sound Studios & Street Beat
Donald founded Mid City Sound Studios — a world-class recording space in Mid City, New Orleans. He has collaborated with Dr. John, Art Neville, Cyril Neville, Ivan Neville, Bobby Rush, James Andrews, Irvin Mayfield, Shane Theriot, Doug Belote, and many more. He is also the creator of Street Beat: Drumming Below Sea Level, a documentary now available at streetbeat.video.
With Allen Toussaint
With Irma Thomas
French Quarter Festival
“The music has always known where it wanted to go. My job has simply been to follow it — and to help others do the same.”
Donald Markowitz