Life & Work with Jean Tariech of Westwood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean Tariech

Hi Jean, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Perpignan, France, and my musical journey began at the age of six when I started playing classical piano. Early on, I distinguished myself by winning multiple regional and international competitions across Europe. These experiences allowed me to perform in various recitals and concerts, shaping my deep connection with music.

At 13, I discovered my passion for film music after hearing Brian Tyler’s Iron Man 3 score. Three years later, Hans Zimmer’s Dunkirk became a turning point—it was then that I realized I wanted to become a film composer. Inspired by composers such as Brian Tyler, Hans Zimmer, John Williams, and John Powell, as well as classical masters like Beethoven, Liszt, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, and Bruckner, I began developing my own musical identity.

At 18, I earned my classical diploma from the National Conservatory of Perpignan.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has never been easy, and it still isn’t. I’ve faced more challenges than successes along the way.

One of the biggest obstacles I encountered early in my career was rejection. At 17, when I took my first music diploma exam, I failed. It was a tough moment in my life, but it pushed me to persevere. I retook the exam the following year and passed it successfully.

Even though I’ve had some great placements in sports media and collaborations with major composers, finding new opportunities remains a constant struggle. When I send out emails, I receive responses from only about 1–2% of recipients, and half of those are negative. It’s incredibly challenging and often discouraging.

For example, in trailer music, I work with a company called Alloy Tracks. Every day, we receive briefs, and sometimes I compose custom trailer music based on these briefs. After pitching my work, I often wait for months to find out if it has been accepted. In most cases, it isn’t. The long waiting times and frequent rejections can be very demotivating.

However, I refuse to give up. This persistence is what I believe will eventually lead me to secure major trailer placements.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In 2021, I worked on the film BEAT, available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV+. That same year, I also composed the music for a short film produced by Ringling College of Art and Design, which was ranked the No. 1 animation school in the world at the time and remains in the top 10 today.

The following year, in 2022, I had the honor of composing the music (in Perpignan) for France’s National Day fireworks on July 14th, performed in front of 15,000 spectators.

Then, at 19, I made a bold decision to move to the United States, in Los Angeles, to further my studies and pursue a career in the music industry.

In 2023, I composed the music for the short film Rosine, a French-American production that premiered at The Landmark Westwood in Los Angeles.

Since then, my compositions have been widely featured in sports media, with placements on Fox Sports, NBA, NFL, Big Ten Network, and major NCAA games across the U.S., including USC and UCLA football games. Beyond sports, I compose music for trailers, ads, and live events.

Most recently, in 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Ciaran Birch, the composer of the Avengers: Endgame trailer, on a track.
That same year, I also composed the music for the short film Deserted, which premiered in Beverly Hills at Lumière Cinema at the Music Hall.
Additionally, my music is now featured in large-scale laser shows in France, expanding my work into immersive live events.

My ultimate goal now is to have music placements for big trailer movies like Marvel, Disney, or Paramount.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
During COVID-19, I was fully dedicated to earning my music degree, which required intense focus and discipline. With the lockdown restricting in-person interactions, I had to structure my days efficiently, spending hours practicing piano while keeping up with my studies. This period taught me the importance of self-motivation, consistency, and resilience. It also pushed me to work more independently, find new ways to stay inspired, and develop a strong work ethic. Looking back, I see how that experience shaped my approach to music composition today, reinforcing my ability to stay disciplined, creative, and adaptable in any situation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jeantariech.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jean.tariech/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jeantariech
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4TG7MflwYR59nQvdGsRvdc?si=aq5_7aleRh6xCir2EbFR6w

Image Credits
Jean Tariech