STAR WARS

It's been a while since I've done an overdub so I knew the next one had to be powerful...

In the Star Wars films I've always been fascinated by how Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader. How does someone with such promise  have his sense of purpose so terribly twisted and misguided? How does he end up destroying everyone he loves and facing his beloved friend and mentor as an enemy?

I've always felt in many ways the music of John Williams tells these dramas better than the films. This trombone choir arrangement and overdub I did is a little suite I call "Lord Vader is Forged," It's a combination of "Anakin's Dark Deeds" (transcribed by ear by my good friend Shawn Standing) which goes attacca into "Battle of the Heroes." 

This is the music that accompanies the build up to, and ensuing light saber battle between Anakin and Obi Wan in "Revenge of the Sith" which ends with Anakin defeated and Lord Vader rising from the molten fires...

I especially find potent the transformation of the opening melody in the first minute, dark and round as it journeys towards rage and anger, unleashing fury.

I think I finally have an overdub to give "Duel of the Fates" a run for it's money...

Lord Vader is Forged

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)

24 Ballet Breakup - RvB Season 10 OST By Jeff Williams

For the purposes of having background music on a game in Roll20; nothing more. 

Clone Wars Theme Edited

My original progressive metal cover/medley of the Kraken and Davy Jones themes from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, original written by Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer. Enjoy. 

"Kraken" & "Davy Jones" Themes Medley - Pirates of the Caribbean OST [Metal Cover]

Star Wars Theme - Acapella

Rey's Theme

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"

Star Wars Opening Theme

Oh my god this is so old. I am more experienced now. I just don’t like this much.

Dr. Strange Theme

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

The Mandalorian (Theme from "Star Wars: The Mandalorian")

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

I'M JAPANESE MICHAEL JACKSON IMPERSONATOR

Anakin's Theme

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