Jim Self

Jim Self (born 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.

Childhood, education, and early career

James Self was born in 1943 in Franklin, Pennsylvania. Self grew up in neighboring Oil City, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Oil City High School he attended Indiana State College (now known as Indiana University of Pennsylvania) from 1961-1965. At Indiana State College Self studied with William Becker, earning a music education degree.^[1]

Self joined the United States Army Band in 1965. 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's Degree in Tuba Performance from Catholic University 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.^[2]

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.^[3] 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.^[4]

Orchestral performances

Jim Self holds principal tuba positions with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (1991–present), Pasadena Symphony (1975-present), Pacific Symphony (1986–present),^[5] Los Angeles Opera (1986–present),^[6] and Opera Pacific (1987-2008). Self is a frequent substitute tubist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.^[7]

Teaching

Jim Self has taught at the University of Southern California since 1976. At USC Self teaches tuba and coaches brass chamber music.^[8] 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 50 solo, chamber, and symphonic works. In 2008 the Pacific Symphony performed his composition, Tour de Force: Episodes for Orchestra.^[9] 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.^[10]

Awards

Harvey Phillips Award (ITEA), 2010

Roger Bobo Award for Excellence in Recording (ITEA), 2008 - InnerPlay^[11]

Lifetime Achievement Award (ITEA), 2008^[12][13]

Distinguished Alumni Award, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2003^[14]

Most Valuable Player Award (Tuba), National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987^[15]

President, International Tuba Euphonium Association, 1979-1981^[16]

Solo/Chamber/Jazz Discography

Disc Title	Year of Release	Genre	Contributing Artists
Children at Play	1983	Jazz	Jon Kurnick, Guitar Ernie McDaniel, Bass Harold Mason, Drums
New Stuff	1988	Jazz	Jon Kurnick, Guitar Ernie McDaniel, Bass Harold Mason, Drums
Tricky Lix	1991	Jazz	Gary Foster, Alto Sax Warren Luening. Trumpet Bill Booth, Trombone Jon Kurnick, Guitar Joel Hamilton, Bass Alan Estes, Drums
Changing Colors	1995	Classical	Terry Trotter, Piano
The Basset Hound Blues	Example	Jazz	Pete Christlieb, Tenor sax Terry Trotter, Piano Tom Warrington, Bass Steve Houghton, Drums Stanley the Basset Hound, Vocals
The Big Stretch	1999	Classical	Tommy Johnson Winston Morris Gene Pokorny Norm Pearson Fred Greene Doug Tornquist Loren Marsteller Malcolm McNab David Duke Bill Booth
My America	Year	Americana	Burnette Dillon, Trumpet Bill Booth, Trombone Gary Foster, Clarinet and Saxes Mike Lang, Piano Tim May, Banjos and Guitars Dave Carpenter, Basses Bernie Dresel, Drums Joel Derouin, Violin Armen Ksadjikian, Cello Kim Scharnberg, Synthesizer Brian Kilgore, Percussion Chuck Niles, Narration
Size Matters	Year	Jazz	Bill Scarlett, Tenor Sax Bill Swann, Piano Taylor Coker, String Bass Daryll Johnson, Drums
Inner Play	Year	Jazz	Gary Foster, Alto Sax, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Alto Flute Pete Christlieb, Tenor Sax Dan Higgins, Soprano/Alto/Tenor Saxes, Flute Terry Trotter/Tom Ranier/Mike Lang, Pianos Tom Warrington/Dave Carpenter/Ken Wild, Basses Steve Houghton, Steve Schaeffer, Ralph Humphrey, Drums Gayle Levant, Harp Jim Fox, Acoustic/Electric Guitars John Magnussen, Vibes, Percussion Brian Kilgore, Percussion Brad Dechter, Alto Sax The Jay Rosen Strings
The Odd Couple	Year	Jazz	Ron Kalina, Harmonica Larry Koonse, Guitar Tom Warrington, Bass Joe La Barbera, Drums
Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra	2012	Classical/Jazz	Hollywood Ensemble Bill Cunliffe, Piano

External links

• www.bassetthoundmusic.com

References

1. 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.
2. Collins, Zach (2009). "Jim Self: A Fortunate Musician". ITEA Journal (Leader Printing) 36 (3): 34–52. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
3. "The Usual Suspects Gio Washington-Wright's Top L.A. Studio Musicians Tribute Site". Retrieved 30 January 2013.
4. "Jim Self Bio". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
5. "Pacific Symphony:James Self". Retrieved 30 January 2013.
6. "LA Opera: James Self". Retrieved 30 January 2013.
7. "Jim Self Official Website". Retrieved 2013-01-26.
8. "USC Thornton School of Music Faculty Profiles: Jim Self". Retrieved 30 January 2013.
9. Timothy Mangan (16 April 2008). "Tuba dude takes the plunge as a composer". Orange County Register. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
10. "USC Faculty Profile: Jim Self". Retrieved 2013-01-26.
11. "Thornton School of Music Faculty Profiles: Jim Self". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
12. Self, Jim. "Lifetime Achievement Award Speech" (PDF). Retrieved 30 January 2013.
13. "Yamaha Tuba Artist Jim Self Receives Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
14. "Jim and Jamie Self Jazz Room to be Dedicated". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
15. "World-Renowned Tubist Jim Self, His Amazing Fluba, And Expansive 'My America' CD". All About Jazz. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
16. International Tuba Euphonium Association