The Legacy of John Williams - New Blog on JW

[TownerFan 3031]

Jaws at 45:

 

https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2020/11/06/jaws-at-45

 

This year, Steven Spielberg's timeless classic turned 45. The Legacy of John Williams presents a new analysis focusing on the element of trust and kinship between director and composer and how they fulfilled a shared artistic vision.

[TownerFan 3031]

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NEW "L.A. STUDIO LEGENDS" EPISODE!

 

He's the Voice of the Mothership in CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, and he imbued Kevin McCallister's antics with humor in HOME ALONE, but also made Velociraptors more menacing in JURASSIC PARK: meet JIM SELF, one of the greatest tuba players in the world and a legend among L.A. studio musicians, with a credited tally of 1,500 film and television scores.

 

Jim has been principal tuba for John Williams for 25 years, from 1990 to 2015 and performed in many scores by the Maestro, including HOME ALONE 1 and 2, HOOK, JURASSIC PARK, SCHINDLER'S LIST, THE LOST WORLD, A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, WAR OF THE WORLDS, THE FORCE AWAKENS and many others. He also recorded the AMERICAN JOURNEY album and, as principal tuba of the Pacific Symphony, performed live in concert with Williams conducting several times.

 

In this long, engaging conversation, Jim talks about his extraordinary career as studio musician and his many years performing for John Williams. He recollects recording the iconic solo for Close Encounters of the Third Kind and his work on Home Alone, Hook and Jurassic Park, offering insightful comments and reflections about playing for John Williams. He also talks about his work for Jerry Goldsmith and James Horner, his friendship and early years playing with tuba legend Tommy Johnson, the role of tuba in film music and his life as a composer.

 

 

https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2020/11/10/jim-self-podcast/

 

This is another great episode, guys. Lots of great stories and memories from a true legend among studio musicians!

[Incanus 5259]

That was another brilliant episode @TownerFan! Such lovely stories and memories from Jim Self, who is indeed a musical legend himself and who was so very graciously appreciative of John Williams and his music. Keep these wonderful interviews coming Maurizio! 🙂

[Fabulin 2483]

An excellent talk!

 

The information that interested me the most is that there is a lot of behind-the-scenes footage of Williams' studio work. I wonder what library or museum this collection will end up in.

[Jurassic Shark 6317]

The Hans Zimmer Museum of Artsy Film Muzak

[Miguel Andrade 766]

On 11/10/2020 at 5:07 PM, TownerFan said:

 

https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2020/11/10/jim-self-podcast/

 

This is another great episode, guys. Lots of great stories and memories from a true legend among studio musicians!

 

Awesome work as always @TownerFan

Also, great to see that the music selections include a concert I attended

[TownerFan 3031]

Thanks for the nice words, guys. Happy you like the show! More coming soon

 

16 hours ago, Miguel Andrade said:

 

Awesome work as always @TownerFan

Also, great to see that the music selections include a concert I attended

 

Sergio Carolino (the soloist performing in the exceprt of the Tuba Concert featured in the episode) studied with Jim Self, so I thought it made sense. There are many other recordings of the Concerto I could have used, but I love the energy and the virtuosity of Carolino's performance.

[TownerFan 3031]

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[Steve 160]

30 minutes ago, TownerFan said:

 

https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2020/11/27/tim-morrison-podcast/

 

I don't have much to add other than it was a real honour and privilege to talk with such an iconic musician who we JW fans all admire so much. I hope you will enjoy, gents!

Can't wait to listen to this. I was hoping for a pocast with Tim since a long time. Thanks!

[ricsim88 126]

10 hours ago, TownerFan said:

 

https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2020/11/27/tim-morrison-podcast/

 

I don't have much to add other than it was a real honour and privilege to talk with such an iconic musician who we JW fans all admire so much. I hope you will enjoy, gents!

Absolutely incredible interview. It brought me back in time quite a few years, about 31, when I first saw BOT4OJ in theatres,  and reminded me why I play trumpet today. 

[bollemanneke 1756]

@TownerFan Sorry if this has already been asked, but are you planning to interview members of the LSO during or after the LA series as well? I would love to hear all the questions you would ask them.

[TownerFan 3031]

On 11/29/2020 at 2:26 PM, bollemanneke said:

@TownerFan Sorry if this has already been asked, but are you planning to interview members of the LSO during or after the LA series as well? I would love to hear all the questions you would ask them.

 

I definitely plan to talk with LSO members too, yes, especially some of the former ones from the 77-83 era who are still around.

 

I already have a roster of guests scheduled, including composers and other very interesting people

 

[Jurassic Shark 6317]

1 hour ago, TownerFan said:

I definitely plan to talk with LSO members too, yes, especially some of the former ones from the 77-83 era who are still around.

 

Great to hear that. Time is certainly of the essence.

[ricsim88 126]

1 hour ago, TownerFan said:

 

I definitely plan to talk with LSO members too, yes, especially some of the former ones from the 77-83 era who are still around.

 

I already have a roster of guests scheduled, including composers and other very interesting people

 

 

So happy you liked it, Richard. Thank you for your ongoing support!

It’s unfortunate that Maurice Murphy had an untimely death about 10 years ago. I’m sure he would have been a fantastic guest. 

[Steve 160]

On 11/29/2020 at 2:26 PM, bollemanneke said:

@TownerFan Sorry if this has already been asked, but are you planning to interview members of the LSO during or after the LA series as well? I would love to hear all the questions you would ask them.

On May the 4th Sarah Willis did a skype session with hornists from all three Star Wars trilogies. It was very interesting, especially the old stories!

 

[T.RASK 969]

26 minutes ago, Steve said:

On May the 4th Sarah Willis did a skype session with hornists from all three Star Wars trilogies. It was very interesting, especially the old stories!

 

That was amazing and lovely session!! 🥰🥰

[T.RASK 969]

I finally listened to that Tim Morrison episode. Wonderful stuff. There might be trumpet players who can play louder or higher than Mr. Morrison but not many who can play so beautifully, with heart and soul those singing melodies. And that legato!! Well, he started with a french horn! 😎😎😎

[TownerFan 3031]

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[TownerFan 3031]

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NEW 'L.A. STUDIO LEGENDS' EPISODE!

 

He had the honour of performing the horn solos that bids farewell to the Star Wars saga in 'The Rise of Skywalker', the tale of justice and freedom in Steven Spielberg's 'The Post' and the late Kobe Bryant's heartfelt love letter in 'Dear Basketball'.

 

Meet French Horn player extraordinaire DYLAN HART, one of the most talented studio musician of the younger generation working in Hollywood, carrying over the great legacy of his mentors and teachers Vince DeRosa and Jim Thatcher. He has been principal horn for John Williams in some of the Maestro's most recent scores including THE LAST JEDI, THE POST and THE RISE OF SKYWALKER, but also on the Anne-Sophie Mutter recording project 'Across the Stars'.

 

In this conversation, Dylan talks about his life and career as French Horn player in Los Angeles, from his humble beginnings to his years studying with Vince DeRosa and Jim Thatcher. He recalls his first gigs in major film scores and his work performing for John Williams, offering his own unique insight about the composer’s process in the recording studio and his writing for the instrument. Dylan also reflects on the great tradition of Hollywood’s horn playing style as mastered by his teachers Vince DeRosa and Jim Thatcher and what it means for him carrying that incredible legacy.

 

 

https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2020/12/18/dylan-hart-podcast/

 

Dylan is the heir of the horn greats who preceded him playing 1st horn for JW--he studied with both Vince DeRosa and Jim Thatcher and he's carrying that immense legacy. He shares some very interesting stories about the more recent scores by JW, including the recent Star Wars movies.

 

Hope you'll like it!

[TownerFan 3031]

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NEW "L.A. STUDIO LEGENDS" EPISODE!

 

He's the cool alto saxophone voice that accompanies the cat-and-mouse chase between Leonardo Di Caprio and Tom Hanks in John Williams' jazzy score for Steven Spielberg's CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, but he's also one of the most talented, utterly brilliant studio musicians on the planet.

 

Meet DAN HIGGINS, ace saxophonist and woodwind specialist, a true legend among studio musicians in Los Angeles. He performed with an impressive array of jazz, rock and pop singers, from Frank Sinatra and Gerry Mulligan to Whitney Houston and Phil Collins. Dan has performed on 700+ motion picture and television scores and is a featured saxophone soloist on dozens of many great films.

 

Dan has worked extensively with John Williams for more than 25 years, but the big breakthrough came in 2002, when the Maestro called upon Dan’s talents as soloist on alto saxophone on the Academy Award-nominated score for CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.

 

In this conversation, Dan talks about his amazing career as studio musicians in Los Angeles and the projects he did with John Williams, with a special focus on his soloist work on 'Catch Me If You Can', remembering the recording sessions for that film and offering his own unique insight into the creative process of Maestro Williams.

 

https://bit.ly/3oroUZz

 

Dan needs no introduction. He's truly one of the greatest session musicians on the planet and he kindly shared a lot of insight on this episode about his work on Catch Me If You Can and many other things. Enjoy!

[artguy360 1059]

I loved this latest episode. Dan offered so many insights into JW's process and decisionmaking on the podium, not to mention his own legacy as a studio musician. 

[TownerFan 3031]

Happy you liked it

[TownerFan 3031]

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NEW "L.A. STUDIO LEGENDS" EPISODE!

 

The enchanting flute solos you hear in such iconic John Williams' scores as JAWS, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL and THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK by were all performed by legendary studio musician SHERIDON STOKES.

 

If there would ever be a "King of the Flute" in Hollywood, the title should be given to the amazing Sheridon Stokes. He began his career as studio musician in Hollywood at age 20 during the 1950s, playing as the youngest contract musician in the 20th Century Fox orchestra under Alfred Newman. He performed on all-time classics like THE KING AND I, SOUTH PACIFIC, PEYTON PLACE and BOY ON A DOLPHIN.

 

He met John Williams for the first time in 1957 and has been the Maestro's principal flute of choice for many years, starting in the early 1970s, and performed on classic scores like JAWS, E.T. and THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK. He was also the soloist on the world premiere of Williams' Flute Concerto in 1973.

 

He also performed on thousands of film and television scores for such illustrious film composers as Maurice Jarre, John Barry, Lalo Schifrin, James Horner and Quincy Jones.

 

In this conversation, Sheridon Stokes talks about his illustrious life and career as one of the most venerable studio musicians in Hollywood, from his early days at 20th Century Fox to his collaborations with John Williams, offering his own unique insight into the great history of Hollywood’s film music.

 

 

https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2021/01/18/sheridon-stokes-podcast/

[TownerFan 3031]

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NEW 'LEGACY CONVERSATIONS' EPISODE!

 

"Ann Hobson Pilot is one of the greatest harpists we've ever had" (John Williams)

 

She's a legendary musician and an amazing woman, a true pioneer among American classical musician of the last 50 years. ANN HOBSON PILOT is one of the most talented women in classical music and also a distinguished international soloist, teacher, and mentor. She has been Principal Harp for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops for almost 30 years, from 1980 until 2009 (she joined the BSO in 1969 as Associate Principal Harp). In 1966 he was appointed Principal Harp of Washington's National Symphony Orchestra, becoming the first African-American woman to land a principal role in a US orchestra.

 

She performed with John Williams since the Maestro's debut as principal conductor of the Boston Pops in 1980 and served with him for three decades. In 2009, Williams wrote 'On Willows and Birches', a Harp Concerto composed expressely for her on the occasion of her retirement as Principal Harp of the BSO.

 

In this conversation, Ann talks about her life and career as classical musician, and her many collaborations with John Williams, including the thrill and the honour of having a concerto written for her by the Maestro. She also talks about the recording of the film score for 'Schindler’s List' and many other favourite memories of working together with John Williams for almost 30 years.

 

https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2021/02/22/ann-hobson-pilot-podcast/

 

I hope you'll all enjoy this talk with a true pioneering woman in the music field.

[Disco Stu 10586]

Looking forward to listening!  The concerto JW wrote for her is one of my favorites of his concert works.

[Bayesian 626]

Great interview with AHP, @TownerFan! Neat to hear another aspect of JW's time with the BPO and lovely to hear her respect for the composer (and vice versa) and a bit about the backstory of her harp concerto.

 

It was interesting to hear more than a couple references to JW conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra. To my knowledge, there are no recordings where he's credited with the BSO. Are there any? (Other than Schindler's List, maybe?)

[BrotherSound 748]

1 hour ago, Bayesian said:

To my knowledge, there are no recordings where he's credited with the BSO. Are there any? (Other than Schindler's List, maybe?)

Yes, some of Schindler’s List, but also:

[Disco Stu 10586]

And he has of course conducted the full BSO in concert many times over the decades

[Steve 160]

Another recording with BSO

https://www.amazon.com/John-Williams-Treesong-Concerto-Schindlers/dp/B00005M05E

[Jurassic Shark 6317]

DG really should re-release the Treesong album now that they're having success with new JW recordings.

[Disco Stu 10586]

Looking at the BSO archive site, I was surprised to find that Williams has only conducted the full BSO in concert once actually in Symphony Hall.  He's conducted them many times at Tanglewood since the late 80s, but only once in their home venue.

 

[Thor 3761]

Williams conducting Galway and Corigliano! That's interesting.

[Once 298]

Over the last couple of months I've been listening to the 'The Lagacy of John Williams' podcast and I'm so freaking impressed. It's wonderful to hear qualified people discuss my favourite composer. Especially all the amazing session players and other people who have actually worked with him.

I've recommended it to many of my friends. Maurizio Caschetto, thank you so much for doing what you do, and doing it so well. 

[Steve 160]

3 hours ago, Disco Stu said:

Looking at the BSO archive site, I was surprised to find that Williams has only conducted the full BSO in concert once actually in Symphony Hall.  He's conducted them many times at Tanglewood since the late 80s, but only once in their home venue.

 

Yes, that's really interesting. The database is not complete though. Many concerts, Williams included, are missing.

[Disco Stu 10586]

43 minutes ago, Steve said:

Yes, that's really interesting. The database is not complete though. Many concerts, Williams included, are missing.

 

I had a feeling this was the case.