Trivia

In the Dreamworks film, "Madagascar", the voice of "Skipper the Penguin" (voiced by Director Tom McGrath) is based on Patterson.

Has studied orchestration with Jack Smalley.

He got into music at age eleven after watching comedian/actor Steve Martin play the banjo and perform stand up comedy. His first instrument was the 5 string banjo - later switching to guitar and piano.

Once held a summer job picking tobacco in central Massachusetts.

Studied with legendary jazz musicians Dr. Billy Taylor and Max Roach.

Has worked professionally as a music editor, sound effects editor and dialogue editor.

Once doubled for Phil Hartman - imitating one of Hartman's voices on "The Ren and Stimpy Show".

He is an avid motorcycle rider - partial to BMW motorcycles.

During the peak of the "Oh Yeah! Cartoons" series, Patterson was the most frequently requested composer.

Has guest lectured on the art of film scoring at California State University.

When Patterson finished writing the hit song, "Everything Is Awesome" for The Lego Movie (for which he received an Academy Award nomination), Shawn intended to have rappers Snoop Dogg and Ice T perform his rap lyrics on the soundtrack. However, the film's directors brought in "The Lonely Island"; who altered some of Patterson's existing rap lyrics and performed on the soundtrack instead.

For his very first meeting and spotting session with director, Dave Wasson for Oh Yeah! Cartoons (Nickelodeon), Shawn sat during the entire meeting with a broken ankle (having fallen outside his studio 30 minutes prior.) Patterson did not want to reschedule so he finished the meeting; all the while pretending he wasn't in any pain. After the meeting, he was treated by his doctor, put in a cast and on crutches for 4 months.

Patterson grew up an enormous Superman and Aquaman fan. At the age of 5, he was obsessed with "Adventures of Superman" black and white reruns starring George Reeves. John William's legendary score to the 1978 Superman movie was pivotal in Shawn's life long pursuit of writing music for picture.

Sites Igor Stravinsky, John Williams, Thelonious Monk and Jerry Goldsmith as primary musical influences.