David Yazbek is an American musician, composer, and lyricist. After attending Brown University, he got a job writing for David Letterman's late night television show. He won an Emmy as part of Letterman's writing team in 1986, but quit to pursue his love of music. From 1987 to 1989 he was the co-owner of Manhattan Recording Company and wrote many commercial jingles. An accomplished musician, Yazbek has released three rock albums to date which highlight his unique perspective and wry sense of humor. He has also written many songs and background music for children's television shows, especially those produced for Disney's cable television channel. He also wrote the theme song to the children's television game show "Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego." In 2000 he wrote the music and lyrics for THE FULL MONTY, collaborating with librettist Terrence McNally. The show was a huge success. THE FULL MONTY ran for two years, and for his work Yazbek was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Original Score and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics, and won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music. Yazbek also wrote the music and lyrics to the musical adaptation of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, which opened on Broadway in 2005.
