Russ Landau

Russ Landau is an American composer and musician best known for his work in television, including the theme music for the reality series Survivor. His career includes a Primetime Emmy Award^[1], multiple Emmy nominations, over 40 ASCAP Film & Television Music Awards, and a Grammy nomination from his time with the Paul Winter Consort.

Russ Landau
Landau in 2005
Background information
Genres	Television film score new‑age world music
Occupations	Composer musician
Instruments	Bass guitar guitar
Formerly of	Paul Winter Consort
Awards	Primetime Emmy Award (2008)

Early life and education

Landau earned a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Bridgeport and was awarded an honorary doctorate^[2] by the university in 2010.

Career

Landau began his musical career as bassist and contributing composer with the Paul Winter Consort, working on world-fusion and environmental music that led to a Grammy nomination.^[3] In television, he received his first Primetime Emmy nomination^[4] in 1996 for the title theme of seaQuest DSV and another in 2001 for the Survivor series theme "Ancient Voices".^[5][6]

Landau's work on Survivor became iconic; he composed for over 580 episodes from 2000–2022, and his theme and underscore music became integral to the show's atmosphere.^[7][8][9]

In 2008, he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music^[10] for Pirate Master.^[11] His notable credits also include composing music for Fear Factor, Average Joe, Combat Missions, Eco‑Challenge Borneo, The Net, and other reality and competition shows.^[12]

He explored field recording and indigenous sound on assignments like Survivor: China, traveling in Mainland China to source traditional music for use in the score.^[13]

Select discography

Television soundtracks

• Survivor theme and season underscore across more than 25 seasons (Vanuatu, Palau, Guatemala, China, Micronesia, Gabon, Tocantins, Samoa, Heroes vs. Villains, Redemption Island, Philippines, Caramoan, etc.)^[14][15]
• Pirate Master
• Fear Factor
• Average Joe (Vol. 1 & 2)
• The Net (TV series)
• Eco‑Challenge Borneo
• Combat Missions
• Three Wishes
• ...plus various solo music compilations

Selected collaborations

• With Paul Winter Consort: Solstice Live!, Earthbeat, Concert for the Earth, The Man Who Planted Trees (Grammy‑nominated), Wintersong, Angel on a Stone Wall, Pianosong^[16]

Awards and recognition

Landau's career is marked by multiple top industry honors:^[17]

• Primetime Emmy Award^[18] – *Outstanding Main Title Theme Music*, Pirate Master (2008)
• Primetime Emmy nominations^[19] – seaQuest DSV (1996), Survivor theme (2001)
• Grammy nomination – as part of Paul Winter Consort
• Over 40 ASCAP Film & Television Music Awards^[20]
• Honorary Doctorate^[21], University of Bridgeport (2010)

Cultural impact

Landau's Survivor themes have evolved into a cult phenomenon. The fan community recreates the music online—often calling it the emotional core of the show's experience, likening it to revered instrumental compositions from classical or video game genres.^[22][23]

Landau noted: "Music helps tell the story, music helps indicate what the people on the island are feeling."

Personal life

Landau is a licensed pilot living in Topanga, California.