Harry Manfredini!

Welcome to Piece Of Advice!

Good Morning! Since it’s Halloween week, we are talking about a composer from the horror genre, Harry Manfredini!

Best known as the composer behind the spine-chilling score of the “Friday the 13th” franchise, Manfredini is the musical mastermind responsible for that infamous “ki ki ki, ma ma ma” sound that still haunts horror fans decades later. But here’s a spooky surprise: that sound isn’t just creepy ambiance; it’s actually Manfredini’s voice, whispering and echoing a phrase inspired by the line “Kill her, Mommy!” from the original film. He recorded it, distorted it, and voilà: instant horror legend.

Before he was giving moviegoers goosebumps, Manfredini was a classically trained musician with a serious love for jazz. He studied at the Manhattan School of Music and spent time in the Chicago jazz scene before diving into film composition. That unexpected combo of formal training and improvisational groove helped him craft horror scores that were not just scary; but also stylish and surprisingly melodic. It’s why his music doesn’t just play in the background of a slasher flick; it stays with you long after the credits roll.

Though “Friday the 13th” made him a household name in horror circles, Manfredini has scored over 100 films in genres ranging from action to comedy. Still, it’s his eerie expertise in slasher cinema that earned him a permanent spot in the Halloween hall of fame. He’s worked on nearly every installment in the “Jason Voorhees” saga, helping define the audio identity of one of cinema’s most iconic villains. And unlike Jason, who never speaks, Manfredini’s music says everything; setting the tone for fear before a single scream is heard.

Despite a career drenched in blood-curdling tension, Manfredini himself is famously warm and full of good humor. He’s a popular guest at horror conventions, always ready to share behind-the-scenes tales and offer insights into the art of scaring people silly with sound. For horror fans, his name is as essential to Halloween as pumpkins and fake cobwebs. So this week, whether you’re watching “Friday the 13th” for the fiftieth time or just walking through a haunted house with creepy music in the background; give a little nod to Harry Manfredini, the maestro of musical mayhem.

Piece of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Harry Manfredini: Don’t give up on your dreams! Stay childlike!

Thank you so much for the read, everyone! Have a great week and we will catch you soon on the next one!

-Giancarlo