Jazz saxophonist, composer, and 8-time Emmy nominee Nick Gomez makes a powerful cinematic debut with Hollywood Grit, delivering a jazz-infused score that’s more than a soundtrack — it’s a living, breathing character in the film. The noir mystery, directed by longtime collaborator Ryan Curtis, opens in AMC Theatres nationwide on August 22, the same day Gomez releases his own jazz-funk single, “Stimulus,” from his upcoming EP the blue one.
Set against the moody backdrop of a fictional Hollywood jazz club, Hollywood Grit stars Max Martini, Tyrese Gibson, Linda Purl, and Patrick Duffy in a story dripping with classic noir ambiance. From the very first scene — a haunting solo saxophone piece written and performed by Gomez himself — the music sets the tone with grit, intimacy, and authenticity.
“There was only one choice for me musically,” said Curtis. “Nick not only set the tone for the film, but he also surpassed all expectations and delivers a score that is absolutely magical.”
Gomez, who played tenor sax, clarinet, flute, piano, and guitar on the score, composed over an hour of music, incorporating elements of big band, straight-ahead, orchestral, contemporary, and avant-garde jazz. Alongside Curtis, he created ten songs — eight originals co-written with Jon Gus and Sarah Cardenas, and two artfully reimagined covers — to serve the film’s narrative.
One standout moment came early in the scoring process. Instead of relying on the expected film noir trope of muted trumpet, Gomez placed his own spin on tradition:
“I put my individual stamp on it by using the tenor sax instead,” he said. “That two-minute opener turned into something cool — a launchpad for the rest of the score.”
The original songs in Hollywood Grit reflect a wider range of musical influences. “Get Me Down,” for example, began as an R&B/pop tune before Gomez reoriented it with a jazz orchestra palette, blending modern flair with vintage texture. Each piece was crafted with intention, bridging the score’s instrumentation and the emotional core of the film.
This creative freedom stemmed from years of trust between Gomez and Curtis. Having worked together on television and documentary projects since 2014, their synergy allowed for bold risks and innovative storytelling through music.
“Writing music for film is where there are almost no rules,” Gomez explains. “It’s a place where emotion and feeling drive everything — and that’s where I thrive.”
Born in Los Angeles and raised around Hollywood film sets, Gomez studied saxophone at Berklee College of Music and has released six albums of his own. His compositions have been featured in films, commercials, and stand-up specials, including Katt Williams: Live, and he scored the tango-inspired TV pilot Yanqui, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
A true multi-genre talent, Gomez has worked with punk icon Billy Bones (The Skulls) and toured with 80s new wave legends Naked Eyes and Haircut 100. Yet it’s his jazz roots and cinematic imagination that converge powerfully on Hollywood Grit, revealing a composer at the height of his creative clarity.
And there’s deeper meaning behind the timing of this milestone: August 22 also marks six years of sobriety for Gomez.
“None of these amazing things would’ve been possible without my sobriety,” he reflects. “This is an exciting time — and a grateful one.”
With Hollywood Grit, Gomez delivers more than a debut — he claims his space as a distinctive voice in the intersection of jazz and film. His work doesn’t just underscore the drama; it shapes it, elevates it, and — in the best cinematic tradition — leaves a lasting impression.
Hollywood Grit opens in AMC Theatres on August 22. Nick Gomez’s new single “Stimulus” drops the same day on all major streaming platforms.