whiplashVarese Sarabande has announced the details of the soundtrack album for the indie drama Whiplash. The album features the original jazz songs written for the film by Grammy nominee Tim Simonec, as well as the movie’s original underscore composed by Justin Hurwitz. Also included are number of classic jazz standards by artists including Stan Getz, Duke Ellington and more, as well as snippets of dialog from the movie. The soundtrack will be released on October 7, 2014 and is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Whiplash is written and directed by Damien Chazelle and stars Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser, Austin Stowell, Nate Lang, Max Kasch and Damon Gupton. The movie follows an ambitious young jazz drummer, single-minded in his pursuit to rise to the top of his elite east coast music conservatory. The drama premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and was picked up by Sony Pictures Classics for a theatrical release on October 10. To learn more about the film, visit the official movie website.

Here’s the track list of the album, which is sequenced in three distinct parts:

“I Want To Be One Of The Greats”
1. Snare Liftoff (0:43)
2. Overture (3:19)
3. Too Hip To Retire (3:03)
4. Whiplash (1:55)
5. Fletcher’s Song In Club (1:28)
6. Caravan (9:14)

“If You Want The Part, Earn It”
7. “What’s Your Name” (1:30)
8. Practicing (1:43)
9. Invited (0:54)
10. Call From Dad (0:40)
11. Accident (5:21)
12. Hug From Dad (1:14)
13. Drum & Drone (1:34)
14. Carnegie (0:36)
15. Ryan / Breakup (0:31)
16. Drum Battle (2:10)
17. Dismissed (2:46)

“He Was A Beautiful Player”
18. “Good Job” (1:28)
19. Intoit (3:19)
20. No Two Words (1:41)
21. When I Wake (3:50)
22. Casey’s Song (1:57)
23. Upswingin’ (2:12)

Rehearsal Medley:
24. First Nassau Band Rehearsal / Second Nassau Band Rehearsal /
Studio Band Eavesdrop / Studio Band Rehearsal After Breakup (1:34)

  1. Daan says:

    Who was/were the drummer(s) on the Whiplash soundtrack?

    • Ann Navon says:

      I have been searching for similar information, was the actor responsible for any of the drumming? Were there any well known player’s in the studio band?

    • Joe Nocella says:

      I heard on a radio show that they used Stanton Moore’s hands in the move. I would assume he’s on the soundtrack

  2. Brian says:

    The drummimg is fantastic and deserves at least as much credit as the acting does – yet nowhere can I find the names of the actual musician. I saw an intervies where Miles Teller did say that he had to learn some of the parts to make it look good, but clearly he did not do the soundtrack performance. As a musician, it seems to me that the filmakers show a lack of respect towards the performer who played a huge part in making this movie stand out by not giving them credit.

    • Doug Perkins says:

      Amen – the single act of not crediting the players pretty much negates anything positive that this movie thinks it was trying to do. Even in the interview at FilmMusic, there is not one mention of the studio players. It sounds to me that if there was more than one drummer, it is for sure the same drummer that plays all the solo stuff. I guess the actor played at least a bit in some scenes on camera but definitely not in the recording. I couldn’t believe that this was left out and I was really mad and mentioned it in the theatre. I can tell you that this kind of talented but bitter teacher is in every music school, and yes, you do have to learn to get a thick skin or you will never make it.

  3. Brian says:

    I am a drummer and am also astounded that the actual drummer was not mentioned in the credits following this flick.
    I’d have to agree that it does really spoil my having enjoyed the movie to be struggling so much to learn this critical point. I knew some of the true greats, Dave Black and Louis Bellson, and met The great Billy Higgins as well. Anyone who could pull off the final song in the soundtrack on this , really needs to be acknowledged… Please someone out there? Let us all know!?
    Cheers…

  4. Jake says:

    Miles Teller himself was credited for 90% of the drumming in the movie. He’s been an avid player since 15 and took 4 hour lessons 4 times a week for several months before the movie to perfect his tempo

    • Brendan says:

      Teller plays edited drumming in the movie but that’s not him on the soundtrack (probably a pro like Stanton Moore). You don’t start as a ‘once in a while rock drummer’ and be converted to a top-tier jazz drummer in 4mos. The preoccupation with Buddy Rich is also kind of funny – he’s a ‘made for television’ player but he’s not Tony Williams or Philly Jo Jones…

      • Dave says:

        Stanton’s great, but probably not fast enough to play some of the trickier parts. Unless they were sped up in post.

  5. Jack says:

    I read somewhere that the drummers on the soundtrack were non union members and that is why they don’t tell us who the real drummer/drummers are on the soundtrack.

  6. Fran Breen says:

    Hi
    I have to agree with all above
    The star of the show is a great musician which none of us know their identity
    Shame!
    Great playing

  7. Max says:

    All BS comment, anyone that play or work in a movie is credited no matter if your part of a union or not.

    • np says:

      Not true. There are always lots of uncredited actors in movies. Look at any movie on IMDb.

    • Bluecat Music says:

      Completely inaccurate. Many people who work on films and TV shows go uncredited.

  8. Milward Simpson says:

    Not crediting the actual musicians is a crime. What?! You make a mainstream movie that celebrates jazz and instrumental excellence and presumes to make an argument that being a musician is relevant and important and then you don’t even give any credit to the actual performances of the musicians who you are relying on to bring musical legitimacy to the film?!

    This is obscene and I’m amazed there hasn’t really been any stink made about it, at least by the drummers who’s sweat and talent made the film. I loved the film but am incredibly disappointed at this self-serving oversight.

    interestingly, Birdman relies heavily on jazz drumming in its soundtrack and the film makers are conscientious enough to credit the drummer.

  9. JeffF says:

    Totally ridiculous movie. The only redeeming part was the incredible drumming. Somewhere there is an unacknowledged player who must be pissed!

  10. Gannon says:

    Neil Peart was the Drummer in this movie

  11. Stephen Joyce says:

    Just watched the film and I am STUNNED that they haven’t credited the musicians who actually played on the film. It’s quite incomprehensible. Do Filmheads actually think that they are so great and superior that they can make a film all about music and NOT credit the players??? Particularly when everyone else down to the assistant sh!t kicker gets listed in film titles. This film can’t possibly expect to recieve any respect.

  12. Charlie says:

    I’m a 66 year old drummer and I can’t believe the talent of the drummer on the soundtrack. At first, I thought that it was snippets from Buddy Rich performances. Apparently not so. Whoever it is, please step forward because you have matched and even surpassed BR as a Big Band drummer. We want more!

  13. Victor says:

    Neil Peart is Fine drummer, but is not up to the intense chops needed for this film. He was NOT the drummer on the recordings. If you go back and listen to his contribution to the “Burning for Buddy” sessions, his were among the most technically limited of the contributors.

    Pay attention to the credits and under “The Producers Would Like to Thank” section you will see Stanton Moore listed as one of the first names if memory serves. He was likely the soloist you admire. Do a YouTube search and watch some videos of him and you will discover that he definitely has the chops for this kind of film. Peart does not!

    Peart is a gracious and humble man and would likely be the first to admit it.

    • Brendan says:

      Well said Victor, Neil Peart is no Stanton Moore (and vice versa)…

  14. Drew says:

    will the real whiplash drummer please stand up. who ever that was playing on the soundtrack is absolutely amazing

  15. Scootzy says:

    I agree with Victor. Sounds like Stanton Moore’s style drumming, he has that New Orleans swing feel, and he is credited at the end. I also think (as a drummer) that Teller probably played some (alot?) of the chops, but not the intense solos, and is definitely not in sync on the final Caravan track, too high level playing – a bit of smoke and mirrors that he and the producers / directors are saying he “did 99% of the playing” IMHO.

  16. Jeff says:

    Sounds like weckl to me

  17. Ryan Cox says:

    It most certainly was not Weckl. I know Dave like the back of my hand, and the playing here is not him. Stanton Moore maybe, but not Dave.

  18. johnathan says:

    Not sure why he isn’t acknowledged but IMDB has the drummer listed as Clifton Eddie.