Jim Self
Jim Self is a Los Angeles free-lance musician, a veteran of over 1500 motion picture scores, hundreds of television shows and records, and is tuba soloist on many prominent movies. His tuba was the “Voice of the Mothership” in John Williams score to Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Recent films include Wall-E, Troy, Lemony Snicket, War of the Worlds, King Kong, Indiana Jones 4, Avatar, Tin Tin, Toy Story 3, and The Last Airbinder. His record credits include such diverse artists as Mel Torme, Leon Redbone, Maynard Ferguson, Don Ellis, the LA Philharmonic and LA Opera. He is Principal Tuba/Cimbasso of the Los Angeles Opera, the Pasadena and Pacific Symphonies and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Jim holds degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Catholic University and a DMA from the University of Southern California--where he has taught tuba and chamber music for 34 years. His major tuba teachers were William Becker, Harvey Phillips and Tommy Johnson. Jim is a past president of ITEA, a former member of The U.S. Army Band, Washington, D.C, and was on the faculty at the University of Tennessee. Jim Self is also a published composer with about 35 titles. The Pacific Symphony recently commissioned him to write a feature work called Tour de Force. The 14 minute piece received great acclaim and is now available for band. All of his recordings and compositions are available from: www.bassethoundmusic.com His numerous honors include a Distinguished Alumni Award by Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2003 and a Lifetime Achievement Award by ITEA in 2008. Jim has produced ten solo jazz and classical recordings. In 2006 his CD “InnerPlay” was one of Jazz Times’ Top 50 CD of the year and Jim was chosen for that year’s Downbeat Critics Poll. Jim Self is a Yamaha Performing Artist.