Will Gardner is an orchestral arranger & composer based in London. Known for his versatility across a wide range of genres and styles, but holding a special curiosity for atmospheric, experimental techniques – Will has become one of the most sought after collaborators in his field. He has written unique arrangements for visionary artists like , alt-J, Daughter, LåpsleyandDavid Gilmour - for whom he crafted all the orchestral and choral elements on his number one record Luck & Strange.
“I think he’s a real genius” David Gilmour
Other notable work includes orchestration on numerous scores for film & tv including BAFTA-nominatedBlue Jean (composed by Chris Roe) and Sky Atlantic’s Tin Star (composed by Adrian Corker).
He is also active as a composer and artist in his own right – his debut album Remains is a personal story about memory & care-work, told through disfigured soundscapes & half-remembered idylls of haunting, impressionist piano.
“Will created an arrangement so radical but so signature that it has become the defining feature of the track. Amazing work.” Mike Spencer (Emile Sandé, Kylie Minogue)
Will’s earliest musical experiences were singing as a boy chorister at Ely Cathedral. He went on to study classical music and piano at Cambridge University before stepping out of the classical music world and moving to Berlin - where he began working in the music department for visual artist Matthew Barney’s vast experimental film River of Fundament. This remarkable operatic film, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Paul Giamatti, Ellen Burstyn, Elaine Stritch – and running at just under six hours long - was built on performances by a vast range of world-class musicians from different genres - Milford Graves, Joan La Barbara, Dr Lonnie Smith, Elaine Stritch, Debbie Harry. It is this eclectic range of influences that inform his work today.
“When Will’s on board I know an extra magic will appear in the material I’m working on. No matter how I describe a vision he always seems to grasp and translate it into the music effortlessly, whilst adding an extra dimension that I didn’t know could exist.” Charlie Andrew (David Gilmour, alt-J, Wolf Alice, London Grammar)