User:Donald Jay Markowitz

Donald Markowitz is an American producer/composer/lyricist best known for co-writing the Academy Award winning song, “I’ve Had the Time of My Life”, for the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing”. Born and raised in New York City, Markowitz began his career playing bass for Speedo and the Cadillacs. He has performed at the Apollo Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, the Cotton Club and Roseland Ballroom, among other celebrated venues. In theatre, his band "Arms Akimbo"performed and wrote the music for Sam Shepard’s “The Tooth of Crime” at The La Mama Theatre. Donald has composed for the WPA theatre, the Old Globe in San Diego, and The Falcon Theatre in Los Angeles.

After winning the 1988 Oscar, Donald relocated to Los Angeles where he spent the next 20 years writing songs and scores for film, TV and various artists. In 1995 he was signed by the Disney Company and began a 6 year span composing for various Disney productions. In 2011 after the success of the Black Eyed Peas’ “Dirty Bit", Donald and family moved to the Broadmoor area of New Orleans where they reside today. Donald works out of Esplanade Studios in the famous Treme neighborhood. Donald’s work as a producer/songwriter includes Bobby Rush’s 2014 album, which features a duet with Dr. John and Bobby Rush on a song written by Markowitz called "Another Murder in New Orleans". The album, titled “Decisions”, was nominated for a 2014 Grammy award in the Best Blues Album category and won numerous Blues Awards. He recently produced 3 songs with Van Morrison and Taj Mahal, and is currently producing a documentary about the drummers of New Orleans. He continues to collaborate with many of the great artists from New Orleans and around the world.