Dave Grusin has worked in the profession of music since 1959, variously as an arranger, pianist, composer and record producer. Born in Littleton, Colorado, and educated at the University of Colorado (CU), he holds honorary doctoral degrees from CU and from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has written over forty film scores and received seven Academy Award nominations, including an Oscar in 1988 for The Milagro Beanfield Wars. From 1976 to 1995, he was in partnership with Larry Rosen as owners of GRP records. His life as a recording artist and producer has resulted in ten Grammy awards, including a 2001 nomination for Two Worlds, a classical recording with guitarist Lee Ritenour, featuring performances by Renée Fleming and Gil Shaham, among others. In addition to his professional life, Grusin is co-founder (with Rosen) of the National Foundation for Jazz Education (NFJE), a philanthropic group dedicated to helping young jazz musicians.