Jim Self
James Martin Self was an American tubist and composer from Los Angeles. Self performed extensively in Los Angeles and internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral tubist, and most notably as a studio musician in movie studios in Los Angeles. He appeared on over 1500 soundtracks. He was also known for his association with the Pasadena Symphony, the Pacific Symphony, the Los Angeles Opera, and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
Background
James Martin Self was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania on August 20, 1943, the third youngest of four siblings born to Helen Louise and James Warren "Pete" Self. He grew up in Oil City, Pennsylvania nearby to the east. His father, James, worked as an assistant production manager at the Worthington Corporation and played softball and baseball. His mother, Helen, was a member of the First Baptist Church there. His older brother, William, worked as an electrical engineer.After graduating from Oil City High School in 1961, Jim Self went to Indiana State College in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He studied under trumpeter William Becker, whom he considered a "a father figure and a kind of soul mate". In 1965, he earned his bachelor's degree in music education. 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 U.S. Army Band, Self earned a Master of Music in Tuba Performance degree from Catholic University of America Washington, D.C. and studied with Harvey Phillips.
Self left the Army Band in 1967. He was offered the position of Assistant Professor of Tuba at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville 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 in Los Angeles. At USC, he studied under Tommy Johnson.
Los Angeles
Studio career
Self performed at studios in Los Angeles, beginning in 1974. He recorded over 1,500 soundtracks for motion pictures and television. One of his 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 Jurassic Park, Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Casper, Batteries Not Included, Sleepless in Seattle, and Dennis the Menace. He was the first call tubist for notable film composers including John Williams, James Newton Howard, John Debney, and James Horner. During his final years, Self performed on John Williams' scores for The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. He often doubled on cimbasso for soundtrack work, particularly since the late 1990s.Orchestral performances
Self held principal tuba positions with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Los Angeles Opera, and Opera Pacific. In his opera orchestra performances he played the cimbasso when required. Self was also a frequent substitute tubist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.Teaching
Self taught at the University of Southern California from 1976 to 2024. His retirement at USC was celebrated with a "Swan Song Concert". At USC, he taught tuba and coached brass chamber music. He taught at the University of Tennessee from 1969–1975. He also taught at the Music Academy of the West festival in Montecito, California and the Henry Mancini Institute.Compositions
Self published over 90 solo, chamber, and symphonic works. In 2008, the Pacific Symphony performed his composition, Tour de Force: Episodes for Orchestra. The 13-minute work has 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.Self and his wife Jamie gave to his alma mater Indiana University of Pennsylvania, including funding the Legacy Brass Quintet, a brass quintet for honors students, and establishing the Jim & Jamie Self Brass Scholarship in 2023.
Death
Self died in his Los Angeles home on November 2, 2025, at the age of 82.Awards
Harvey Phillips Award, 2010.Roger Bobo Award for Excellence in Recording, 2008 – InnerPlay
Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008
Distinguished Alumni Award, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2003
Most Valuable Player Award, National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987
President, International Tuba Euphonium Association, 1979–1981