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Billboard Acquires ‘Cosmic Symphony’ Documentary on Instruments Lost in LA Fires
The 2025 Los Angeles wildfires destroyed homes and musical instruments belonging to four musicians.
A new short documentary called Cosmic Symphony tells their stories and remembers the instruments they lost.
The film was directed and scored by Laura Karpman.
It includes stories from John Clayton, Susie Chung, Starr Parodi and Diane Warren.
Some of the lost instruments had special histories, including a bass once owned by Ray Brown and pianos connected to films.
Billboard acquired the documentary and plans to show it on October 27.
A premiere and concert are planned for the day before in Beverly Hills.
Money from tickets to the concert will support MusiCares, which helps professional musicians.
Billboard acquired Cosmic Symphony, Laura Karpman’s directorial debut about instruments lost in the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.
The documentary features musicians John Clayton, Susie Chung, Starr Parodi and Diane Warren reflecting on their losses.
Billboard plans to release the film digitally and on Billboard TV on October 27; its Los Angeles premiere is set for October 26.
The film’s executive producers include John Legend, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Rita Wilson.
A concert after the premiere will feature musicians from the film, with ticket proceeds going to MusiCares.
- Who
- Director and composer Laura Karpman, the four featured musicians, and Billboard.
- What
- Billboard acquired Cosmic Symphony, a short documentary about musical instruments lost in the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.
- Where
- The premiere is at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills; the fires were in Los Angeles.
- When
- The premiere is scheduled for October 26, and the digital and Billboard TV launch for October 27; the article does not specify the year for these dates.
- Why
- Karpman created the film to memorialize the lost instruments and capture musicians’ experiences of loss and resilience.
Instruments as Objects
Instruments as Companions
Meaning of the lost instruments
Instruments as Objects
The instruments were physical possessions destroyed in the wildfires.
Instruments as Companions
Karpman and the featured artists describe instruments as having souls and carrying personal histories, memories and identity.
Key facts
- Film
- Cosmic Symphony
- Acquirer
- Billboard
- Director and composer
- Laura Karpman
- Featured musicians
- John Clayton, Susie Chung, Starr Parodi and Diane Warren
- Premiere
- October 26 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills
- Planned release
- October 27 on Billboard’s digital channels and Billboard TV
- Concert proceeds
- Ticket proceeds will go to MusiCares
Quotes
John Legend
Executive producer of Cosmic Symphony and musician
“As artists, we know that instruments are core to the music we make.”
deadline.com
“They are our friends, our confidants, our family.”
deadline.com
Laura Karpman
Composer, director and co-producer of Cosmic Symphony
“When a musician loses an instrument, they lose a part of themselves – their partner, their voice.”
deadline.com
Sources
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