Donald Markowitz

Donald Markowitz is an American producer/composer best known for co-writing the Academy Award winning song, "I've Had the Time of My Life", from the film "Dirty Dancing". Born and raised in New York City, Markowitz began his career playing bass for Speedo and the Cadillacs and many other well known artists from that era. 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 Oscar, Donald relocated to Los Angeles where he spent many years writing songs and scores for film and television. In 2011, 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 includes Bobby Rush's 2014 album, which features a duet with Dr. John and Bobby Rush on a song co-written by Markowitz called "Another Murder in New Orleans". The album, titled "Decisions", was nominated for a 2014 Grammy award for Best Blues Album category. He has produced, written, recorded and worked with Van Morrison, Taj Mahal, Dr. John, Bill Medley, Bobby Rush, Art Neville, Ivan Neville, James Andrews, Irvin Mayfield, Lee Sklar, Kate Markowitz, Stephen Bray, Shane Theriot, Doug Belote and may more amazing artists and musicians. James Taylor, Shawn Colvin and Nicollete Larson have sung on his records. He is presently producing a documentary about the drummers of New Orleans entitled Street Beat-Drumming Below Sea Level. Now signed to Kobalt Music he continues to collaborate with many of the great artists from New Orleans and around the world. Donald would like to thank his three mentors- Earl "Speedo" Carroll who taught him how to be a professional musician, multi-Academy Award winning film producer Arthur Cohn who taught him to create timeless work, and to multi-Emmy Award winning producer/writer Steven Bochco who taught him how to write and how to produce. He owes it all to his amazing wife Carol and kids Callie, Spencer, Sam and Sadie.