Photo: Steve Granitz © WireImage.com

Born in Si Mao, Hunan Province, China; studied in the Central Conservatory of Music (Beijing), China's highest music institution. Became famous around China for his "Heaven, Earth, Mankind" Symphony composed in celebration of the 1997 Hong Kong handover, using a complete set of "Bian Zhong", a priceless set of bronze bells in various sizes built over 2000 years ago. Notable film composing credits include HOU BU DUI YUAN / THE CANDIDATE (1983), AKTION K (1994), NANJING 1937 / DON'T CRY, NANKING and DE OOGST VAN DE STILTE / BROKEN SILENCE (both 1995), FALLEN and IN THE NAME OF THE EMPEROR (both 1998), WO HU CANG LONG / CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (2000), YING XIONG / HERO (2002), TAOISM IN A BOWL OF WATER: TAN DUN, A CHINESE COMPOSER (2003), and YE YAN / LEGEND OF THE BLACK SCORPION (2006).  Best Achievement in Music (Original Musical or Comedy Score) 2000: CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON  Nominated for Achievement in Music (Original Song) 2000: CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON "A Love Before Time" - Music (w. Jorge Calandrelli) 2 nominations, 1 Award