With songs that run the gamut from heartbreaking to satirical and a host of unforgettable film scores, Randy Newman has created musical masterpieces widely recognized by generations of audiences.

"An Evening with Randy Newman" will be presented, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21, State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton.

Singer-songwriter, composer, arranger and pianist Newman is known for his distinctive voice, wit and satirical songs. Over the course of 40 years, Newman has released 10 albums of original studio material.

Newman, who began writing songs in his teens, credits the Fleetwoods with launching his songwriting career by recording his song, "They Tell Me It's Summer."

Newman went on to have his songs recorded by Gene Pitney, Jerry Butler, Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, Jackie DeShannon, the O'Jays, Alan Price and Harpers Bizarre.

Newman launched his own recording career as a singer and pianist in 1968 with his self-titled album, "Randy Newman " which includes one of his all-time favorites, "I Think It's Going To Rain Today." Throughout the 1970s, he released several other acclaimed albums such as: "12 Songs," "Sail Away" and "Good Old Boys."

In addition to his solo recordings and regular international touring, Newman began composing and scoring for films in the 1980s. The list of movies he has worked on since then includes "The Natural," "Awakenings," "Ragtime," "Cars," three "Toy Story" movies (with one of his best loved songs, "You've Got a Friend in Me" from the first), "Seabiscuit," "James and the Giant Peach," "A Bug's Life," "Pleasantville," "Meet The Parents" and most recently, Disney-Pixar's "Monsters University," prequel to "Monsters Inc.," which he also scored.

While Newman's initial record sales were modest, his reputation among critics, fellow artists and musicians was huge, and he enjoyed great success as a songwriter.

Former Animals keyboardist Alan Price popularized his work in England with the "A Price on His Head" album and Harry Nilsson did the same in the United States with his still much-admired "Nilsson Sings Newman."

Three Dog Night had a pop hit with Newman's "Mama Told Me (Not To Come)" and Joe Cocker scored with the hilariously naughty "You Can Leave Your Hat On."

Newman's own Top 40 success came with the most unlikely track, "Short People," from the 1977 album, "Little Criminals." Other pop hits were in a similarly tongue-in-cheek vein: "It's Money That I Love" from 1979's "Born Again" album and "I Love L.A." from 1983's "Trouble In Paradise."

Newman's many honors include six Grammys, three Emmys and two Academy Awards, as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

The paternal side of Newman's family includes three uncles who were highly-regarded Hollywood film-score composers: Alfred Newman, Lionel Newman and Emil Newman. Newman's cousins Thomas Newman, Maria Newman, David Newman and Joey Newman are also motion picture composers.

Tickets: State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton St., Easton; statetheatre.org, 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132