Tommy Johnson’s Memento Book Presentation
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Tommy Johnson Memoir
ArticlesThe Recording Musicians Association of Los Angeles publishes a bi-annual Directory of recording musicians, studios, composers and useful information for the members. Each year they recognize a few of the prominent musicians who passed away. Both Tommy Johnson and his wife Pat died in the period of less than a year. She was an important violinist in our business and both are to be recognized in the 2008-09 issue. I was asked to write the tribute to Tommy. The following is what I wrote for that feature.
Tommy Johnson Tribute Concert with 99 Tubas, Jim Self conducting. (Click for larger image.)
Tommy Johnson
1935-2006
It’s been over a year since my dear friend Tommy Johnson passed away. In that time a lot has crossed my mind about our special and complex relationship...
Tour de Force: Episodes for Orchestra program notes, writing process, and synopsis.
ArticlesIn April 2008 the Pacific Symphony will premier a new orchestra piece that they commissioned from me. The following was wrtten for the PSO Musicians web site and parts of it will be included in the Program Notes and publicity for the concerts. http://www.pacificsymphonymusicians.com
Tour de Force
Episodes for Orchestra
Jim Self
2007
(Process — Program Notes – Synopsis)
Process
Tour de Force is dedicated to Sandy and John Daniels who generously donated a very large amount to the Pacific Symphony to sponsor the orchestra’s first European Tour in Spring 2006—hence the title. It was a very special milestone for the orchestra and had a profound musical effect on me. It was truly fun to play great music in great halls and to feel we were really “making music”...