Jonathan Sheffer

Workin’ 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin’! I gleefully pipe out Dolly Parton’s song, as I scoop the poop that my feline, Dash, left as a gift on the carpet. That Dasharuni! (My nickname for him.) “9 to 5” jingles in my head because I just finished watching the newly released DVD that is loaded with extras (there’s even a “9 to 5” karaoke section). Other favorite tunes of mine are those short pieces of orchestrated music not usually found on Billboard’s Top Ten. Call them Celestial Chords. For instance, The Golden Girls scene transition music, or the former United Artists theme intro (played before James Bond movies), or at the beginning of The Sound of Music when the nuns are singing in Latin. These melodies put me into a thought-provoking, ethereal state, just like Jonathan Sheffer’s film scores.

Composer and conductor Jonathan Sheffer, fifty-three, a Harvard grad who has studied with Leonard Bernstein, created music for such movies as Interview with the Vampire and Batman Forever. He led his orchestra, Eos, for ten years, a project that innovatively blended his passions for literature, film, and dance. He conducted the Seattle and San Diego Symphonies, as well as for dance and opera productions. He composed the music to the AIDS-themed film, Andre’s Mother, which he says “was a really special project and very dear to my heart.”

Two weeks later, I find myself in New York City working with Bronx AIDS Services, an organization helping local women of color. After meeting Jonathan at his historic 1839 home in Greenwich Village, we meander down the twisting streets to one of his fave eateries, Sant Ambroeus. He orders the artichoke salad and twists my arm to follow suit.

Ruby Comer: [Taking a bite] Oh, this is delectable! Jonathan, what is your involvement with the AIDS epidemic?
Jonathan Sheffer: [He answers in cadenced speech] I wouldn’t say that I have a particularly distinguished career as an AIDS fundraiser but, over
the years, I have contributed. I’ve learned that people usually get involved due to a personal experience.

What has your personal experience been?
It was in the early nineties when I was dating Charles Barber, a writer, critic, and dancer. He died of AIDS. This situation started a whole spiral of events for me. [The hottie waiter checks in with us and leaves.] When Charles Hamlen founded Classical Action, a group that organizes people to contribute their [musical] talent to AIDS funding, I was on its board. We raised a lot of money!

Tell me more about dating Charles Barber.
When we met, I knew he had AIDS and that was a difficult thing for me. I had to reconcile my feelings. He was very active in ACT UP, and as a result, I became active. I marched in my first gay pride parade. Charles wrote an article about AIDS apartheid, which raised a lot of issues. Being with him really changed my thinking and broke down some of my barriers and my own sense of fear. After dating for six months, our friendship continued and I was one of the few people who cared for him when he was dying. That was a very important experience too. Interestingly enough, he grew up in Cleveland….

[I interrupt]…where you now conduct Red, an orchestra that reinterprets classical music with a contemporary ear. You are a trendsetter, Mr. S., and I have all your CDs. [He smiles graciously.] Let me ask you, what is your take on the epidemic today?
It’s an international pandemic of epic proportions that is affecting the economy of the world and the fabric of societies everywhere. It’s certainly morphed into something more powerful and more frightening as a health issue. It continues to need our attention and our funding. It should be viewed with fear and respect. With the cocktail, AIDS has the reputation of being a livable syndrome but, in fact, it is still killing people and still dangerous.

Eloquently stated. Jonathan, how do you feel about our President?
While I disagree with ninety-nine percent of the policies of the current administration, one must recognize that they have increased awareness and funding for HIV/AIDS worldwide. Regrettably, there continues to be a glaring myopia with respect to the issue of prevention, which is overlaid with pompous morality. [He eats his last artichoke.] I will soon be involved with helping Hillary Clinton [A&U, April 2005] get elected if she runs.

Harmonize with Jonathan at his soon-to-be-launched Web site: www.jonathansheffer.com.

Ruby Comer is an independent journalist from the Midwest who is happy to call Hollywood her home away from home. Reach her by e-mail at MsRubyComer@aol.com.

May 2006