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Will McCarthy
Member Since: 2025 | Location: Valencia | Page Views: 69About Me
Will McCarthy is a British-born composer, guitarist, arranger and soundtrack musician based in Valencia, Spain.
Will McCarthy is a British-born composer, guitarist, arranger and soundtrack musician based in Valencia, Spain. With a musical career spanning several decades, his work encompasses contemporary jazz, blues, folk and world music, combining an eclectic range of influences with a distinctive compositional voice. His latest album, A Kind of Jazz, released on the prestigious Spanish jazz label Sedajazz Records, represents a significant chapter in his musical journey. Conceived as a personal homage to the spirit and musical language of Miles Davis's Kind of Blue, the album features a collection of original compositions written, arranged and co- produced by McCarthy. Bringing together an international ensemble drawn from Valencia's vibrant jazz community, the recording features internationally acclaimed saxophonist and pianist Javier Vercher, alongside internationally recognised musicians and educators, including Matt Baker, both professors at Berklee College of Music's Valencia campus. The album explores the meeting point between modal jazz, contemporary improvisation and McCarthy's own broad musical influences. Alongside his work as a recording artist and bandleader, McCarthy has developed an extensive portfolio as a film and television soundtrack composer. His credits include the music for the award-winning documentary Campeonas Invisibles (Invisible Champions), directed by Paqui Méndez, and Joaquín Collado: Humanity Through the Camera, a documentary celebrating the life and photographic legacy of the Valencian photographer. His soundtrack work has also featured in productions for Spanish national television, including TVE's La 2, as well as projects commissioned by Valencia City Council. His compositions extend beyond conventional jazz settings, embracing elements of folk, Arabic and Mediterranean music. He is also the leader and composer of Folk-Jazz-Arabe, an ongoing exploration of the relationship between jazz improvisation and diverse musical traditions. His music for the television documentary Over the Sky of Azerbaijan further reflects his interest in combining contemporary composition with international musical influences. A long-standing resident of Valencia, McCarthy has been an active contributor to the city's cultural and musical life, collaborating with musicians from different backgrounds and nationalities. His work reflects a career shaped by curiosity, cross-cultural influences and a commitment to original composition, whether in the intimate setting of a jazz ensemble or through the evocative possibilities of film and television music.
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This page was last updated on 2026-11-14.
