Jim Self
James Martin Self (born August 20, 1943) is an American tubist and composer from Los Angeles. Self has performed extensively in Los Angeles and internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral tubist, and, most notably, as a studio musician in the Los Angeles movie studios having appeared on over 1500 soundtracks. He is also known for his association with the Pasadena Symphony, the Pacific Symphony, the Los Angeles Opera and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
Jim Self | |
|---|---|
| Born | James Martin Self August 20, 1943 Franklin, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Education | Indiana State College (B.S., 1965) Catholic University of America (M.M., 1972) University of Southern California (D.M.A., 1976) |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Musical career | |
| Genres |
|
| Instrument(s) | Tuba |
| Years active | 1965–present |
Childhood, education, and early career
James Martin Self was born on August 20, 1943, in Franklin, Pennsylvania, the third youngest of four siblings born to Helen Louise (née Martin, 1907–1980)[1] and James Warren "Pete" Self (1906–1959),[2] and grew up in neighboring Oil City, Pennsylvania. His father, James, worked as an assistant production manager at the Worthington Corporation and was a softball and baseball player.[2] His mother, Helen, was a member of his hometown's First Baptist Church.[1] His older brother, William, worked as an electrical engineer.[3]
After graduating from Oil City High School in 1961, Self went to Indiana State College (now known as Indiana University of Pennsylvania). He studied under trumpeter William Becker,[4] whom he considered a "a father figure and a kind of soul mate".[5] In 1965, he earned his bachelor's degree in music education.[6]
After graduation, Self joined the United States Army Band. The concert band tuba section included Leo Hurst, Bob Pallansch, Dan Perantoni, Chester Schmitz, and Paul Scott. During his time with the US Army Band, Self earned a Master of Music in Tuba Performance from Catholic University of America and studied with Harvey Phillips.
Self left the Army Band in 1967. He was offered the position of Assistant Professor of Tuba and the University of Tennessee in 1969.
In 1971, while still working at the University of Tennessee, Self began working on a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Southern California. At USC he studied under Tommy Johnson.[7]
Los Angeles
Studio career
Self has performed on the Los Angeles studios since 1974. In this time he has recorded over 1500 soundtracks for motion pictures and television.[8] One of Self's most notable soundtrack credits is his performance on Close Encounters of the Third Kind. His performance was featured as the "voice of the mothership." Self can be heard as a soloist in such films as Jurassic Park, Home Alone I&II, Casper, Batteries Not Included, Sleepless in Seattle, and Dennis the Menace. Jim Self has been the first call tubist for such notable film composers as John Williams, James Newton Howard, John Debney and James Horner.[9] In recent years, he performed on John Williams' scores for The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker.[10] Self often doubles on cimbasso for soundtrack work, particularly since the late 1990s.[11]
Orchestral performances
Jim Self holds principal tuba positions with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (1991–present), Pasadena Symphony (1975-present), Pacific Symphony (1986–present),[12] Los Angeles Opera (1986–present),[13] and Opera Pacific (1987-2008). In his opera orchestra performances he plays the cimbasso when required. Self is also a frequent substitute tubist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.[14]
Teaching
Jim Self has taught at the University of Southern California since 1976. At USC Self teaches tuba and coaches brass chamber music.[15] Self taught at the University of Tennessee from 1969-1975. He has also taught at such festivals as Music Academy of the West and the Henry Mancini Institute.
Compositions
Self has published over 90 solo, chamber, and symphonic works.[16] In 2008 the Pacific Symphony performed his composition, Tour de Force: Episodes for Orchestra.[17] The 13 minute work has also been transcribed for wind ensemble and was co-premiered by the USC Thornton Wind Ensemble under the direction of H. Robert Reynolds and the IUP Wind Ensemble under the direction of Jack Stamp.[18]
Awards
Harvey Phillips Award (ITEA), 2010
Roger Bobo Award for Excellence in Recording (ITEA), 2008 - InnerPlay[19]
Lifetime Achievement Award (ITEA), 2008[20][21]
Distinguished Alumni Award, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2003[22]
Most Valuable Player Award (Tuba), National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987[23]
President, International Tuba Euphonium Association, 1979-1981[24]
Solo/chamber/jazz discography
| Disc title | Year of release | Genre | Contributing artists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children at Play | 1983 | Jazz |
|
| New Stuff | 1988 | Jazz |
|
| Tricky Lix | 1991 | Jazz |
|
| Changing Colors | 1995 | Classical |
Terry Trotter, Piano |
| The Basset Hound Blues | 1997 | Jazz |
|
| The Big Stretch | 1999 | Classical |
|
| My America | 2003 | Americana |
|
| Size Matters | 2003 | Jazz |
|
| Inner Play | 2005 | Jazz |
|
| The Odd Couple | 2008 | Jazz |
|
| Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra | 2012 | Classical/Jazz |
|
| 'Tis the Season TUBA Jolly | 2013 | Christmas |
|
| Flying Circus | 2015 | Classical |
|
| YO | 2016 | Latin Jazz |
|
| Floating in Winter | 2017 | Jazz |
|
| Out on the Coast | 2020 | Jazz |
|
| The Light Fantastic | 2020 | Jazz |
|
| Hangin' Out | 2022 | Jazz |
|
| My America 2: Destinations | 2022 | Jazz |
|
References
- "Self". The Titusville Herald. March 1, 1980. p. 5.
- "J.W. Self Dies in Cleveland". The Derrick. March 3, 1959. p. 3.
- "William Russell "Bill" Self, Sr". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 15, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- "Dr. William R. Becker". The Indiana Gazette. July 19, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- Self, Jim (July 19, 2018). "William Becker: A Eulogy". Basset Hound Music. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- Nowicke, Carole (October 2001). "International Tuba-Euphonium Association Oral History Project: Oral History Interview of Dr. James M. Self". ITEA Online. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- Collins, Zach (2009). "Jim Self: A Fortunate Musician". ITEA Journal. Leader Printing. 36 (3): 34–52. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- "The Usual Suspects Gio Washington-Wright's Top L.A. Studio Musicians Tribute Site". Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- "Jim Self Bio". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- Caschetto, Maurizio (10 November 2020). "L.A. Studio Legends: Jim Self". The Legacy of John Williams. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- Kifer, Shelby Alan (May 2020). The Contrabass Trombone: Into the Twenty-First Century (DMA thesis). University of Iowa. doi:10.17077/etd.005304. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
- "Pacific Symphony:James Self". Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- "LA Opera: James Self". Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- "Jim Self Official Website". Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- "USC Thornton School of Music Faculty Profiles: Jim Self". Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- "Jim Self". Potenza Music. Potenza Music. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- Timothy Mangan (16 April 2008). "Tuba dude takes the plunge as a composer". Orange County Register. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- "USC Faculty Profile: Jim Self". Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- "Thornton School of Music Faculty Profiles: Jim Self". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- Self, Jim. "Lifetime Achievement Award Speech" (PDF). Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- "Yamaha Tuba Artist Jim Self Receives Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- "Jim and Jamie Self Jazz Room to be Dedicated". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- "World-Renowned Tubist Jim Self, His Amazing Fluba, And Expansive 'My America' CD". All About Jazz. 22 October 2003. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- International Tuba Euphonium Association