Inside Jonathan Bailey’s Surprising Clarinet Solo in Jurassic World: Rebirth
Okay, I’ll explain, but try to keep up. In a recent interview featured in New York Post and backed by People Magazine, composer Michael Giacchino offered an in-depth breakdown of Jonathan Bailey’s unexpected clarinet solo in Jurassic World: Rebirth. He admitted that when he first heard the 90-second woodwind riff, “That was a strange moment.” The award-winning composer described how Bailey’s impromptu performance on set forced a last-minute rethink of the film’s score.
You probably should already know that Jonathan Bailey—best known for his role in Bridgerton—actually plays clarinet in real life. According to Variety, the production team decided to capture Bailey’s own musicianship rather than dub in a session player. Giacchino explained that during a tracking session at Abbey Road Studios on March 14, the actor-turned-musician wandered over to a vintage Selmer clarinet and started experimenting between takes. “It was one of those rare times when the actor becomes the instrument,” Giacchino told New York Post. The composer was initially amused, but after a quick playback he realized Bailey’s tone added unexpected emotional gravity to the scene.
Fans already knew Jurassic World scores had strong melodic themes, but this woodwind surprise marks a bold departure. According to People, Giacchino paused the orchestra and instructed the engineers to route Bailey’s live clarinet through the main monitors. “We built an entire ambient layer around that riff,” he said. The final mix combines subtle piano chords, synthesized textures, and Jonathan’s clarinet, creating a haunting counterpoint to the dinosaurs’ roar. This unplanned musical moment now underscores a pivotal reunion sequence between Owen (Chris Pratt) and the returning Brachiosaurus.
It’s worth noting that the clarinet itself has a storied history in film music, famously used by John Williams in E.T. and John Barry in Out of Africa. Giacchino acknowledged this lineage in an exclusive chat with Empire Magazine, calling Bailey’s contribution “a tip of the hat to classical scoring traditions—only with a prehistoric twist.” He also teased that listeners should pay attention to the solo’s key change at 1:12, where the clarinet subtly shifts from A minor to C major, symbolizing hope amid chaos.
Jurassic World: Rebirth hits theaters this July, and the full soundtrack is slated for release a week after the premiere. If you think you caught every reference to John Williams’s original T. rex roar or the orchestral nods to Isla Nublar, think again. Jonathan Bailey’s clarinet breakthrough might be the soundtrack’s most delightful secret, showing that sometimes movie magic happens in the most off-the-cuff moments. Well, now you finally understand!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, People Magazine, Variety, Empire Magazine
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
