This is my overdub of my arrangement of "The Immolation Scene" from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.

This is the aftermath of "Lord Vader is Forged"...the fiery defeat of Anakin at Obi-Wan's hands. Incredibly dark and searing music as hubris and ego meets it's downfall...

On a personal note, I dedicate this to Jon Whitaker and my friends at the University of Alabama for hosting me in an incredible weekend of great music making!! More to come!!!!

The Immolation Scene

Here's my overdub of my trombone ensemble arrangement of "Anakin's Theme" from Star Wars Episode 1, "The Phantom Menace." 

Much of this music is innocent and childlike as we see Anakin long before he's engulfed by the Dark Side of the Force. It moves through some rich lyrical material that sings of his love for his Mother but eventually arrives at a foreshadowing of the Imperial March most potently in the last few moments, as the low F minor harmony slowly blocks out the A major. The final double pedal A depicts the warning of the long fall Anakin will have from good into evil.

Another brilliant score by John Williams.

Anakin's Theme

Here is my latest overdub of my new trombone choir arrangement, "Across the Stars", the love theme from Star Wars episode 2 again, brilliantly composed by John Williams.

In my continuing fascination with Anakin's transformation into Vader, this music provides a necessary piece of his journey. Ultimately it's his love of Padme that leads him to accept doing horrific and dark deeds in order to harness the power to keep her alive…at all costs. In the end his actions cost him the very thing he wanted to protect.

The music begins so lyrically and with such flow. The middle section giving way to the dark aggressive foreshadowing of what's to come. This flowing melody ultimately comes to rest where it never really left, in sadness...

Across the Stars (Love Theme from Star Wars Episode 2)

Here's my latest trombone choir arrangement and overdub: "Anakin's Dark Deeds" from Star Wars "Revenge of the Sith" composed by John Williams.

It begins with the music which sets the scene after Anakin has slaughtered all the Jedi younglings and the lamenting aftermath. This quickly gives way to the brutal violence that ensues as Anakin destroys all the figures standing politically in the way of the Emperor, clearing the path for the Empire to take complete control.

The brilliant interplay between the low incessant voices pushing harshly forward and the bright soaring dissonances in the extreme high register show Darth Vader at his most unhinged and barbaric. 

After the blazing G minor climax, the slow lamenting funeral march starts and gains momentum until finally the ringing D minor climax shows Vader, bathed in his own hubris waiting a top a mountain of fire, waiting to destroy the one person left in his way, his once friend, brother and mentor: Obi Wan Kenobi.

(Some of you may recognize the second half of this recording as the intro to my "Lord Vader is Forged" overdub. This recording is how the music is presented in the original soundtrack to "Revenge of the Sith". I thought it was more potent this way!)

Anakin's Dark Deeds

Something standard, something Star Wars - Greg Black Jim Nova signature mouthpiece demo! Please enjoy as I demonstrate each of my Greg Black signature trombone mouthpieces!!

Soprano
0:05 - Fanfare for the Common Man
0:48 - "Imperial March" from The Empire Strikes Back

Alto
1:06 - Symphony No. 3 "Rhenish"
1:51 - "Main Title" from Star Wars

Tenor
2:17 - "Tuba Mirum" from the Mozart Requiem
2:53 - The Force Motive from Star Wars

Bass
3:32 - "Achieved is the Glorious Work" from The Creation
3:58 - "Duel of the Fates" from The Phantom Menace 

Contra
4:25 - Sword Motive from Das Rheingold
4:49 - "Emperor's Theme" from Return of the Jedi 

Visit this link for more info:

https://www.johnstonbaughs.com/p-4545-new-greg-black-signature-series-jim-nova-trombone-mouthpieces.aspx

Something standard, something Star Wars

Here's my latest trombone choir arrangement and overdub: "Padmés Funeral" from Star Wars "Revenge of the Sith" composed by John Williams.

This is the music heard at the end of the film as Padmés funeral procession marches slowly in the streets of Theed on Naboo. She has died giving birth to the twins Luke and Leia. 

A powerful moment occurs as you look at Padmé in the casket and in her hands is the little trinket Anakin gave her…long before he was consumed with the evil and hate that turned him into Darth Vader…

I find this music so richly lamenting and languid as you realize it is the end of not just Padmé, but of freedom. John Williams again so beautifully captures this in music.

Padmés Funeral

A Gathering Of Villains

A Medley of "Bad Guy" themes by John Williams (arr. Jim Nova)

A Gathering Of Villains

A good friend of mine (who's a fabulous composer/conductor as well!) once said to me,"No one writes an action sequence as well as John Williams."

I heartily agree!!

Here's my latest trombone choir arrangement and overdub: "The Battle Over Coruscant" from Star Wars "Revenge of the Sith" composed by John Williams. This is the huge space battle sequence in the opening of the film. It's an incredible setting of "The Force" melody in the start which give way to an incredibly intense interplay.

Lately I've been catching some grief for doing so many arrangements from Star Wars Episodes 1-3. My response is,"The movies may not be that great, but the music is incredible and tells a way better story than the acting!"

To my sound cloud followers, please help me get these John Williams arrangements published and sign this petition:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/john-williams-trombone-ensemble-arrangements

Thanks and enjoy the latest overdub!!

Battle Over Coruscant

My latest overdub is of my trombone choir arrangement of "Anakin's Betrayal" by John Williams from the score to Star Wars Episode 3, "Revenge of the Sith."

This is the music heard when Anakin, continuing his downward spiral towards evil, commits the ultimate betrayal and turns on the Jedi order. 

He's allowed Emperor Palapatine to poison his mind and convince him the Jedis are a threat...all Jedis...even the younglings...and therefore must be destroyed...

With cold brutality, he follows through with his masters orders, no longer as Anakin, but as Lord Vader.

John Williams captures so fully the pain and turmoil of this pivotal moment with an unrelentingly languid setting of what is the beginning of the evil Empire.

Anakin's Betrayal

Rocky Suite 
Music by Bill Conti
Arranged by Jim Nova

As some of you know, last summer I was diagnosed with a bilateral hernia. While hernias aren’t life threatening and are common, they’re scary for brass players. No, it wasn’t too much high range trombone playing that caused it… 😉 Turns out it runs in my family and all the heavy manual labor I did as a kid working in my Dad’s restaurant and for moving companies in the summers during college is what set the injury in motion…

Last spring, I started feeling nagging abdominal pain and just thought it was from the journey I was on to lose my COVID weight as I dropped 50lbs. and got back into good shape. 

Last summer it got worse and worse. I played hurt and any time you heard me play at STS, ITF, or on tour with the PSO, I was in serious pain as I bided my time until I could get the surgery to correct this injury. 

On September 7th, 2 days after coming home from the PSO European tour, I was on an operating table, having major abdominal surgery. This was the scariest moment of my professional career, as I knew this would fundamentally change the way I play for the rest of my career.

Even though the initial recovery took about 4 weeks, and I was back onstage shortly thereafter, I’m still recalibrating and dealing with residual pain and adjustments. I’m basically relearning how to play and it’s still ongoing. 

When thinking about what would be my first “post surgery” overdub, I gravitated strongly to the music from Rocky. It’s always been one of my favorite movies and scores, the ultimate comeback story. Since I spent 4 years in Philly when I went to Curtis, it just made sense. 

My arrangement, scored for 10 trombones (2 altos doubling on soprano, 6 tenors, 2 basses doubling on contra), drums and electric bass. It starts with “Philadelphia morning” as I connected to the sentiments of uncertainty and worry coming out of surgery. And then I of course had to have the training montage music, “Gonna Fly Now” as I continue to navigate getting my playing back to level ground. I’m still fighting through… 

Special thanks to my amazing PSO colleagues, Andy Reamer (drums) and Jeff Grubbs (bass) for playing on this project. 

Hope you enjoy my comeback overdub! As the saying goes, “A warrior doesn’t always win, but they always fight…”

💪 😉

Rocky Suite

The Emperor's Theme

" I can feel your anger. I am defenseless. Take your weapon. Strike me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!" - The Emperor

My latest overdub is of my trombone choir arrangement of "The Emperor's Theme" by John Williams from the score to Star Wars. This music is heard in many forms and iterations throughout the trilogy.

The Emperor, Darth Sidious, Senator Palpatine…he has many names and faces. He is the master of evil. He's keenly able to manipulate and fool all those around him in his quest for power. He's all that is terrible and powerful of the Sith order. 

Most tragic is his ability to twist Anakin into Vader, which he does with incalculable precision. But ultimately it's Anakin who destroys him in the end.

I must thank my friend Shawn Standing again for his amazing skills for providing me a score (by ear!!) of this music. I then took it and set to arranging it with a variety of techniques.

In this version you hear a little Imperial March intro which gives way to the Emperor's theme in many versions, just as the many forms of the evil of Palpatine… In the end is the death struggle Luke faces with the Emperor as he is rescued by his father. And his evil seeps downward…disappearing… 

Feel…the dark side...

Emperor's Theme

It's high time I finally did an arrangement and overdub of the Star Wars Main Title Intro… 

My latest overdub is of my trombone choir arrangement of the Star Wars Main Title Intro which we've all known and loved for nearly 4 decades. This leads perfectly into my previous overdub of the "Battle Over Coruscant" from Star Wars Episode 3, "Revenge of the Sith."

Enjoy!

Star Wars Main Title/Battle Over Coruscant

I finally have done a Harry Potter arrangement for trombone choir! I present Marge's Waltz from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban!! I have never laughed so much while recording one of my arrangements. It's arranged for 2 altos, 6 tenors, 2 basses and 1 contrabass. If you enjoy listening to this half as much as I enjoyed recording it, I'll be happy!

Marge's Waltz From Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban

My latest overdub is of my trombone choir arrangement of the "Throne Room and Closing Titles" by John Williams from the score to Star Wars Episode 4, "A New Hope."

This music truly captures the noble and victorious energy at the end of the film. I richly enjoyed doing this overdub as it readily connects me to my childhood.

This recording is rife with unabashed high Fs, G flats and Gs (listen for the last chord!!) but more importantly, I tried to capture the excited and hopeful spirit of the ending scene of the movie that started it all, "Star Wars Ep.4, A New Hope"

Enjoy!

Star Wars Throne Room/Closing Titles

My latest overdub is a "Reboot" of a new revamped arrangement of music from Superman by John Williams.

It's always fun to go back to something you played a long time ago and see how your skills have changed since then. Several people (Glenn Johnson, etc…) have asked me in one way or another "Why don't you go back and redo Superman now that you've come so far since the original?"

It's hard to believe it's been 2 years since I started this whole overdub adventure! In an effort to get back into shape for the PSO season 2 years ago, I attempted to overdub my Superman March arrangement I did for Rusty McKinney's UUTE trombone ensemble all those years ago back in our Utah days. I never knew what was in store from just doing a little "overdubbing for fun…" Thanks to numerous tips from folks like Shawn Standing and Mike Hosford, I started learning the technology better and better as I went.

On the trombone side (thanks Steve Shires!), I've added a few members to this arrangement going from 9 to 14 parts: 
2 contrabass trombones (thanks Nick Schwartz for letting me borrow his land cannon Kanstul F contra!)
2 Bass Trombones
6 Tenor Trombones
3 Alto Trombones
1 Alto doubling on Soprano Trombone

Thanks Greg Black for the help on the mouthpieces!

On the technology side, since the original Superman overdub, I've gotten a better MacBook, vastly better microphone, real mixing board, serious "deadly accurate" headphones (my PSO friend and colleague Craig Knox once called his studio headphones that way…) and very importantly Logic recording software.

I've so enjoyed the events these overdubs have opened up and continue to open up. Looking forward to working with Keith Jackson, Brad Edwards, Carl Mazzio, Jon Whitaker, Michael Kris and Jonathan Allen this year! I'm also really excited to perform my choir arrangements with with my old friend and mentor, Norman Bolter at NEC and at the American (formerly Eastern) Trombone Workshop in March!!

I want to dedicate this "Reboot" to Norman Bolter and Carol Viera for their help "Rebooting" me all those years ago when I was a struggling student who'd lost his way. There was a time in college I almost hung it up. Norman and Carol helped me reboot, steered me away from the cliff and got me back in touch with the reasons and sentiments I got into music in the first place. 

All these pieces of brass, notes on a page, electrical wires and computer chips, etc…mean nothing and have no power if they aren't charged with a real human musical intent and energy. It's nice to plug back into that sentiment as I start another season here in Pittsburgh.

This new version is a combination of the Planet Krypton Fanfare (original arrangement by Shawn Standing) and  the Superman March as a little suite.

As an interesting measurement, first listen to the original versions I did 2 years ago:
Planet Krypton -  https://soundcloud.com/jimnova/krypton-fanfare-from-superman
Superman March -  https://soundcloud.com/jimnova/superman-overdub
 
THEN, listen to this new version:


Enjoy!

Planet Krypton/Superman March "Reboot" 2014

Star Wars - Inner City/TIE Fighter Attack

This is a little mashup of music from the ORIGINAL Star Wars Movie that I arranged for trombone choir. Hope you enjoy it!

Inner City/TIE Fighter Attack

Parade Of The Slave Children from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom arranged and performed for 11 trombones by Jim Nova

Parade Of The Slave Children from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Flynn Lives From Tron Legacy arranged by Bob Elkjer, edited by Jim Nova for 11 trombones and performed by Jim Nova

Flynn Lives From Tron Legacy

Cadillac Of The Skies From Empire Of The Sun arranged and performed for 11 trombones by Jim Nova

Cadillac Of The Skies From Empire Of The Sun

The Grail Knight and Scherzo For Motorcycle From Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade arranged and performed for 11 trombones by Jim Nova

The Grail Knight and Scherzo For Motorcycle From Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade

I've been wanting to arrange and overdub this terrific moment in the Hook soundtrack for quite some time! John Williams captures the incredible power of youthful vigor and energy in this amazing music. Hope you enjoy this arrangement for 11 parts (2 altos, 6 tenors, 2 basses and 1 contrabass trombones)!!

The Flight to Neverland

Here is my "Reboot" of my new and expanded arrangement of Padmé's Funeral from Star Wars Episode 3, "Revenge of the Sith". This has a different ending than the previous version.

As some of you know, I have plans for a 2 volume overdub album loosely following the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker as he becomes Darth Vader.

To that end, I'm slowly re-recording some of my past overdubs with my recent big improvements to my recording gear/software as well as my new instruments (soprano and contrabass trombones).

This is the music that accompanies the scene in Star Wars Episode 3, "Revenge of the Sith" as we see Padmé being laid to rest. Then it cuts to Darth Vader and the Emperor as they see the Death Star being built.

John Williams masterfully weaves the Imperial March under the funeral music to powerful effect.

Enjoy!

Padmé's Funeral "Reboot"

Here's my latest trombone choir overdub: "Anakin's Dark Deeds" from Star Wars "Revenge of the Sith" composed by John Williams. This is a “Reboot” of a recording I made a few years ago. As some of you know, I’m rerecording some of my old recordings with the new and improved gear and software I have in preparation for an album I will release.

This piece begins with the music which sets the scene after Anakin has slaughtered all the Jedi younglings and the lamenting aftermath. It’s his first act as Darth Vader. This quickly gives way to the brutal violence that ensues as Lord Vader destroys all the figures standing politically in the way of the Emperor, clearing the path for the Empire to take complete control.

The brilliant interplay between the low incessant voices pushing harshly forward and the bright soaring dissonances in the extreme high register show Darth Vader at his most unhinged and barbaric.

After the blazing G minor climax, the slow lamenting funeral march starts and gains momentum until finally the ringing D minor climax shows Vader, bathed in his own bloody hubris waiting a top a mountain of fire, to destroy the one person left in his way, his once friend, brother, mentor and now mortal enemy: Obi Wan Kenobi.

Anakin's Dark Deeds "Reboot"

A few years ago I released a new revamped version of my trombone choir arrangement of the Planet Krypton Fanfare/Superman March from the John Williams score to the original Superman which had 14 trombone parts.

I then went back and added the timpani/percussion parts from John Williams original orchestration. My amazing PSO colleague, Ed Stephan, performed all these added parts.

Planet Krypton Fanfare/Superman March "Reboot" 2014 (with Timpani And Percussion)

Imperial March “Reboot”

My latest overdub recording is of my revamped trombone choir arrangement of the Imperial March from the score to Star Wars “The Empire Strikes Back” composed by John Williams. This is a “Reboot” of my original arrangement.

As some of you know, I’m rerecording some of my old recordings with the new and improved gear and software I have in preparation for an album I will release, hopefully soon!

It really kicks into “Full Vader mode” in the last minute…

“Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me." - Darth Vader

Imperial March "Reboot"

Live performance by the University of Alabama Trombone Choir on October 8, 2013 of "Parade of Charioteers" from Ben Hur. Composed by Miklos Rosza and arranged by Jim Nova.

Parade of the Charioteers

My latest overdub is of "Rey's Theme" and "Kylo Ren's Theme" as heard in the closing titles to "Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens." These 2 characters represent the conflict which is central in the story unfolding in the latest Star Wars trilogy. As usual, John Williams paints a lasting and powerful portrait of these characters through his amazing score.

Rey's Theme/Kylo Ren's Theme

My latest overdub is of my trombone choir arrangement of the Star Trek Main Theme 2009 by Michael Giacchino.

Star Trek Main Theme 2009

I’ve officially broken open the Danny Elfman catalogue in my overdubs. Can’t think of a better way to really put my new Thein contra to use than playing some Beetlejuice! Let’s turn on the juice and see what shakes loose!! It’s showtime!!!

Beetlejuice Main Theme

Here's my latest overdubbing homage to John Williams and my love of his music. I revisited my original arrangement that I did years ago and added some "Glenn Dodson" touches...ie: a lot more high notes...Really gave the alto a workout on this one...not to mention my chops...

Raiders March

To me this piece will always be about the death of youth...either literal or symbolic. It's not a funeral march, but a languid, bittersweet remembrance. 

When I was 15 years old, my Mother died suddenly of a heart attack. She was only 51. In that moment, both literal and figurative collided, my youth ended, and my mother died far too young...

Many years later, when Lindsey and I married, I played this arrangement with a trombone choir at our wedding. This was not only a remembrance of my mother but Lindsey's as well. Her mother died far too young at the age of 50 as well. Sad that we share this difficult past, but we both know they left their marks on our lives and our futures.

This overdub recording is in their memory.

Ravel Pavane for a Dead Princess

Okay...time to kick this Star Wars thing into overdrive. BIG TIME

Here's my overdub of my arrangement of Duel of the Fates from Star Wars Ep.1.

There's nothing to say. Let the music and the playing do the talking.

Duel of the Fates

I though it was time to downshift the Star Wars journey for a moment. Here's my overdub of my arrangement of Yoda's theme which is from my all time favorite Star Wars film, Empire Strikes back.

This is dedicated to my old teacher, mentor, musical hero, but most importantly, friend, Norman Bolter. He is the Yoda of the trombone and of music!

Some 20 years I remember first hearing about him: Joined the Boston Symphony at 19, member of the Empire Brass, prolific and gifted composer, master teacher who battled back from playing injuries to command his rightful place as one of the great teachers.

I went up to Boston to have a lesson with him. I'd heard all these amazing recordings of him. I had this distinct image of him in my head. Then this 5'5" relatively small man peered at me at the Symphony Hall Stage entrance and said, "Jim?" I looked at him puzzled and he quickly said,"You thought I'd be bigger..."

As I compare him to Yoda as an allegory, it's startling if you adjust the language a bit it's significance to musicians:

Yoda: "Ohhh. Great warrior. Wars not make one great." 
Norman translation: "Oh he won how many auditions? Auditions not make a musician great."

Yoda: "Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?  Hmm?  Hmm.  And well you should not."
Norman translation: A man who's 5'5" tall and buys shoes in the boys section of stores, can play louder and bigger and higher and faster and cleaner and more expressively than I can ever hope to dream...I need to listen to what he has to say closer.

Yoda's Theme

"If only you knew the power...of the Dark Side..." - Darth Vader

"When you look at the Dark Side, careful you must be. For the Dark SIde looks back." - Yoda

Okay enough nerding out... Finally put this one together. I guess the dark side was too much for my old mic setup...after the first 4 bars it was fried. This is my maiden voyage with my new gear. "If only you knew the power...of the direct digital USB connection!"

Had a ton of fun doing this one. Who knew mutliple tongueing pedal Gs and Eflats could be sooo fun?!? 

I think this is the best villain theme of all time and how better to make it more sinister than on all trombones?!? Imbued with Vaders relentless energy...power of the dark side indeed.

Imperial March

Time to bolt on some turbos, a supercharger, couple o rockets and hit the nitrous button for this 2 minutes of machine gun double tongueing...

This is my overdub of the fabulous arrangement by my good buddy Shawn Standing (done by ear I might add!!) of the theme song to the original TV show "The Green Hornet" that starred Bruce Lee, not the ho hum Seth Rogen movie. Some of you will recognize it from the movie "Kill Bill volume 1." This of course is missing the rhythm section but stands on its own awesomely!!

This especially goes out to those who I played in UUTE with (Utah's Ultimate Trombone Experience)!!

Green Hornet

James Nova joined the Grammy award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 2009 as second/utility trombone. In 2012, Nova made his solo debut with the PSO, performing Henri Tomasi’s Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra. Prior to that, he was a member of the Utah Symphony Orchestra where he served eight seasons as assistant principal/second trombone. 
 
Since 2012, James Nova has found a new passion in multitrack recording, also known as "overdubbing." Overdubbing is a process by which a musician records all the parts of a piece of music one by one and layers the recordings on top of each other to create a full ensemble. Nova has released dozens of stunning and virtuosic tracks of his own challenging arrangements of exciting repertoire for trombone choir. The arrangements employ many different trombones: contra bass, bass, tenor, small tenor, alto, and even soprano trombones!
 
James Nova has had a lifelong love of John Williams’ film scores and in December of 2017, he released a new overdub album for trombone choir, A Fall from Light to Dark. Through the chosen moments of John Williams’ masterful scores, this album musically chronicles the rise and descent of Anakin Skywalker as he transforms into Darth Vader. Truly a one-man show, this album’s transcriptions, playing, recording, editing, mixing, and mastering were all done by Nova himself.

James Nova has always been passionate about music education. When not on stage at Heinz Hall with the Pittsburgh Symphony, he can be found at the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University where he is adjunct trombone faculty, as well as the brass coach of the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras. Given their widespread popularity, Nova’s recordings are playing an impactful role in inspiring the next generation of musicians and budding recording artists and he is frequently invited to teach outside the region. Since 2012, he has completed more than 85 visits to prominent festivals (such as the International Trombone Festival, American Trombone Workshop, and the Korea Trombone Festival, among others) and reputable educational institutions (such as the Curtis Institute of Music, Juilliard School of Music, and New England Conservatory, among others) as the featured artist and educator in concerts, masterclasses, and clinics.

James Nova studied with Glenn Dodson at the Curtis Institute of Music followed by study with Norman Bolter at the New England Conservatory of Music. While in Boston, Nova played regularly with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra, including recordings and television broadcasts as both principal and second trombone. 

James Nova is an S.E. Shires Artist and performs on his signature line of Greg Black Mouthpieces.

For more info, visit jimnova.com or hear his recordings at soundcloud.com/jimnova
 

Social media links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.nova.3
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimsupernova/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSNMj7Fm--kyxxXRTYqH00Q

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