"Critical Hits"

9 exciting VGM classics arranged for a top tier big band. Now available on all streaming platforms!

More information here: https://linktr.ee/multiplayerbigband

"Critical Hits" - Multiplayer Big Band

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFXHMQhUCkg

"Secret of the Forest" feat. Brett McDonald
Yasunori Mitsuda
Arr: Tyler J. Mire
Performed by the Multiplayer Big Band

-Score Link: https://bit.ly/2TQqCJT

Mixed/Edited By: Tyler J. Mire
Mastered by: Mike Haynes

My newest series of big band video game arrangements launches with this classic from one of my favorite games, Chrono Trigger.

Chrono Trigger is known amongst game players as one of the most important and well beloved video games of all time. In addition, its score is frequently cited as one of the all time greats. With its lush harmonies, non functional progressions and fusion straight 8th grooves I realized that all the time I spent playing this game as a child was affecting my musical approach as I entered college. So when I decided to arrange this piece two years ago, the meeting was natural and fluid.

Throughout the arrangement you will hear the top tier clarinet playing of Brett McDonald, as the featured soloist. In addition, Brett, Drew and Kelsey provide a vast array of woodwind colors such as bass clarinet, alto flute, and bass flute! The brass play remarkably well, with many exposed and delicate muted passages. The rhythm section is groovin' throughout and I just love how they play during the solo section. I think you will too.

Reeds:
Brett McDonald (Alto, Clarinet, Alto Flute, Bass Flute)
Drew Zaremba (Tenor Sax, Clarinet)
Kelsey Mire (Bari Sax, Bass Clarinet)

Trumpets:
Tyler Mire (lead)
Jason Levi
Thomas Davis
Micah Bell
Thomas Eby

Trombones:
Chris Ott (Lead)
Carl Lundgren 
Eric Ladish
Matt Jefferson

Rhythm:
Lindsey Miller - Guitar
Matt Endahl - Rhodes
Thomas Davis - Electric Bass
Joshua Hunt - Drums and Percussion

Critical Hits

Secret of the Forest (feat. Brett McDonald)

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5esvY07Ix3s

"Hydrocity Zone Act II" feat. Howi Dietz and Emmanuel Echem
Masayuki Nagao
Arr: Tyler J. Mire
Performed by the Multiplayer Big Band

-Score Link: https://bit.ly/2TQqCJT 

Mixed/Edited By: Tyler J. Mire
Mastered by: Mike Haynes

My first console was a Sega Genesis. I loved Sonic as a kid and I have fond memories playing through the early titles in the series. I especially loved the music; I would actually listen on headphones plugged into the Genesis. Flash forward to 2012: I was in my last semester of music school, and I joined a jazz ensemble called the Zebras. The ensemble picked a new theme each semester, and that spring, the theme was video game music arranged in a jazz style. (This was years before jazz covers of VGM got big on YouTube). I had a blast being in that band, and I contributed two arrangements to their repertoire. One of them was an earlier version of this track: Hydrocity Zone Act II, arranged for a smaller ensemble. In this track, I’ve expanded the arrangement to fit a full band. 

Throughout the arrangement you're going to hear the incredible rhythm section of Greg, Brian, Austin and Shawn. The first three are old UNT classmates of mine who work out in LA - whereas Shawn was in the Navy Commodores with me and is a top tier jazz guitarist who can play anything. I'd be remiss to forget the incredible ensemble playing spearheaded by Nashville lead trumpet ace, Steve Patrick. I’d also like to give a special nod to the Jerry Hey style "a capella" horn section soli in the middle. The soloists Howi Dietz and Emmanuel Echem bring some serious fire and soul to the piece. You don't wanna miss it!

Reeds:
Andrew Fransisco (lead)
Howi Dietz
Aaron Hedenstrom
Brett McDonald
Kelsey Mire

Trumpets:
Steve Patrick (lead)
Micah Bell
Tyler Mire
Andrew Golden
David Smith

Trombones:
Barry Green (lead)
Luke Brimhall
Oscar Utterstrom
Matt Jefferson

Rhythm:
Shawn Purcell - Guitar
Austin Byrd - Organ and Synth
Brian Ward - Electric Bass
Greg Sadler - Drums

Hydrocity Act II

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvUwg_tRmKQ

"Tifa's Theme" feat. James Brady
Nobuo Uematsu
Arr: Tyler J. Mire
Performed by the Multiplayer Big Band

-Score Link: https://bit.ly/2TQqCJT 

Mixed/Edited By: Tyler J. Mire
Mastered by: Mike Haynes

Like many my age, Final Fantasy VII is one of my favorite games of all time. It was the first JRPG I ever played and it started my life long fascination with the FF series in general and JRPGs as a whole. It is was what inspired me to become a game developer and game composer. Nobuo Uematsu is up there as one of the most important musical influences in my life, standing shoulder to shoulder with my favorites such as Thad Jones, John Williams, Robert Lamm, Jimmy Pankow, and Maria Schneider. The importance of this game (and Uematsu's music) in my life can not be understated.

As I decided I would arrange a piece from FF7, I realized all the obvious choices had been covered often. Who hasn't heard arrangements of the Main Theme or One Winged Angel? So I went with the lesser heard, Tifa's Theme. The first decision was who would play the melody? After deciding on flugelhorn, I enlisted my friend from the UK, James Brady, to perform. His creamy tone and tasteful interpretation really elevate the piece. As I was working through the basic arrangement at the piano, I soon realized that a pop ballad groove reminiscent of something you might hear in the late 60s/early 70s - would work perfectly with the flugelhorn. I kept the arrangement tasteful and tried to not overdo the harmonic approach, as to allow the melody to shine through.

As I kept arranging, I realized that what the piece was missing was lush strings. As someone with lots of wind, brass and rhythm section experience, working with strings was exciting and new (and a bit scary)! I am very fortunate to have received the help of some wonderful game audio colleagues who are all great string performers. I have listed their channels below so you can hear more of their work.

Other highlights are the blink-and-you-miss-it woodwind chorale in the intro and the entire ensemble work in the climax. The band played spectacularly and this might be my favorite track I've done so far. Without the musicians, these pieces are just notes on a page. Many, many thanks to all the performers. And to the listener, I appreciate you. I hope you enjoy!

Reeds:
Brett McDonald (Alto Sax, Flute)
Dionte George (Alto Sax)
Sarah Roberts (Tenor Sax)
Jimmy Bowland (Tenor Sax, Clarinet)
Kelsey Mire (Bari Sax, Bassoon)
Diane Dunn (Oboe)
Emily Bowland (Clarinet)

Trumpets:
Tyler Mire (lead)
Thomas Davis
Casey Brefka
Ally Hany Albrecht

Trombones:
Chris Ott (lead)
DJ Rice
Allison Martin
Ian Calhoun

Rhythm:
Lindsey Miller - Guitar
Matt Endahl - Rhodes
Thomas Davis - Electric Bass
Joshua Hunt - Drums

The "Beautiful Bows"

Violins:
Narek Papoyan
Isaac Schutz
Nico Mendoza (https://youtube.com/c/NicoMendozaMusic)
Juan Cruz (https://www.instagram.com/jdcviolin)
Moon Jelly (https://www.youtube.com/c/MoonJelly)

Violas:
Isaac Schutz
Juan Cruz
Brooks Leibee (https://twitter.com/brooks_leibee)

Cello:
Scott Semanski
IsrafelCello (https://www.youtube.com/c/IsrafelCello)

Tifa's Theme (feat. James Brady)

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHYcaHxspOc

"Mambo de Chocobo” 
Nobuo Uematsu 
Arr: Tyler J. Mire 

-Score Link: https://bit.ly/2TQqCJT 

Mixed/Edited By: Tyler J. Mire 
Mastered by: Mike Haynes 

Back in the late 90s, when my obsessions with JRPGs began, I found a newly translated rom of a game I had never played before: Final Fantasy V. I loved FF7, FF6, and FF4 so I played this immediately. I was blown away! The incredible job system, the fast, light hearted pace of the plot, young Tyler was in heaven.

Fast forward to 2012, where as a member of my university's VGM Ensemble I did a small group arrangement of “Mambo de Chocobo” (Uematsu’s arrangement of the chocobo theme for the series’ 5th installment.) I decided to do a slightly different take by alternating between the mambo feel of the original and swing on the bridge sections. This fall, as I updated this for my big band to record, I decided to also pay tribute to Tito Puente by quoting some phrases from his famous mambo “Ran Kan Kan”. Throughout the rhythm section grooves hard, buoyed by our drummer Jesse Myers and bassist Katie Blomartz. Yamaha flute artist (and Tyler Mire Big Band alumnus) Daniel Pardo dazzles with his spectacular solo phrases and high octave ensemble playing. After a send off (that references one of Final Fantasy’s most iconic jingles), esteemed jazz artist Luis Hernandez provides a captivating solo that takes the piece into a full band soli! The soli is TOUGH and the band just nails it! At the end we give our drummer, Jesse Myers a short vamp to solo over. The solo is truncated for the virtual venue, but on a live gig I could imagine this going on long! The last tutti stinger puts trumpeters Jason Levi and Micah Bell on the naughty list. Also make sure to stay till the end to hear Ian Calhoun’s incredible pedal G!

I hope you enjoy this arrangement, this was the most fun I’ve had in months. Kweh!

Reeds: 
Daniel Pardo (Flute/Piccolo)
Jimmy Bowland (lead Alto Sax) 
Brett McDonald (Alto Sax) 
Luis Hernandez (Tenor Sax) 
Howi Dietz (Tenor Sax) 
Kelsey Mire (Bari Sax) 

Trumpets: 
Tyler Mire (lead) 
Micah Bell
Jason Levi
Thomas Eby 
Thomas Davis

Trombones: 
Joe Jackson (lead) 
Luke Brimhall
DJ Rice
Ian Calhoun

Rhythm: 
Shawn Purcell - Guitar 
Ruscle Torres - Keyboard 
Katie Blomartz - Upright Bass 
Jesse Myers - Drums

Mambo de Chocobo

Watch on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uGSeg2NH8c

"Simple and Clean” feat. Tyler Mire and Chris Ott
Utada Hikaru
Arr: Tyler J. Mire 

-Score Link: https://bit.ly/2TQqCJT 

Mixed/Edited By: Tyler J. Mire 
Mastered by: Mike Haynes 

Kingdom Hearts was a game I missed when it first came out, because I never owned a PS2, but I was always interested in it. It wasn’t until 2021 that I finally bought the PS4 version of Kingdom Hearts collection and spent a month making my way through the first game. While I have mixed feelings about the game, I loved the music!

“Simple and Clean” is a tune I fell in love with right away. While preparing for this arrangement, I scoured the internet for as many covers of it as I could. I loved Musicality’s Glee-style take (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM4Wt...) and Pat Bartley’s hot, uptempo funk rendition (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLP2h...). I decided to meld a bit of the two approaches and do something slower, but tinged with RnB.

I knew as I was writing it I wanted to feature Chris Ott. Chris is a generational talent; he is the trombonist/arranger for the Brooklyn-based band, the Huntertones. Chris and I were roommates in the 2010 Disney All American College Band and I’ve been lucky enough to be his friend since then.
 
I’m also featured on the track on flugel and trumpet, but I’m not the only trumpet player. Dallas-based trumpet ace Micah Bell absolutely crushed the lead trumpet part on the track, nailing a double-high C on the last note. But the entire trumpet section carries the ending, thanks (of course) to the power of friendship!

The rhythm section are the unsung heroes of this track, delivering a powerful groove with equal amounts of soul and restraint.  And as usual, special kudos to all the ensemble players. The pitch, accuracy and style is perfectly on point and makes my job as the arranger easier than it should be. I couldn’t do these tracks without the musicians, and they never fail to deliver!

I’ve said this before, but THIS may be my favorite track I’ve done in the series. I couldn’t stop smiling and dancing while listening to this. I hope you have the same feeling.

Reeds: 
Brett McDonald (Alto Flute, lead Alto Sax)
Sarah Roberts (Alto Flute, Alto Sax) 
Howi Dietz (Clarinet, Tenor Sax) 
Jovan Quallo (Clarinet, Tenor Sax)
Jimmy Bowland (Bari Sax)
Kelsey Mire (Bass Clarinet, Clarinet) 

Trumpets: 
Micah Bell (Lead and dubba C)
Andrew Bezik
Thomas Eby 
Ally Hany Albrecht

Trombones: 
Chris Ott (lead and solo) 
DJ Rice
Jenny Kellogg
Allison Martin
Ian Calhoun (bass)

Rhythm: 
Shawn Purcell - Guitar 
Ruscel Torres - Keyboard 
Thomas Davis - Electric Bass
Greg Sadler - Drums

Simple And Clean

Jamphibious Volume 2: press START to JAM, available now!

Buy Now!

Amplexus Avenue

The My Familiar Big Band

Alto 1 - Brett McDonald
Alto 2 - Jovan Quallo
Tenor 1 (Solo) - Drew Zaremba
Tenor 2 - Aaron Hedenstrom
Bari - Kelsey Mire

Trumpets - Wayne Bergeron (Lead), Tyler Mire, Thomas Davis

Trombones - Chris Ott (Lead), Roy Agee

Guitar - Lindsey Miller
Keyboards - Pat Coil
Electric Bass - Thomas Davis
Drums/Percussion - Joshua Hunt

Main Theme (Big Band version)

Welcome!

My name is Tyler and I compose jazz/video game music. I've released three Big Band Jazz CDs under my own name and composed the OST for the indie JRPG Shadows of Adam.

Currently composing:
Quartet (www.quartetrpg.com)
My Familiar
Numetry
Diaconia: The Keepers
Swing

I am always looking for new and exciting new projects to compose for! If you're interesting in working with me please contact me at: tm0135 at gmail dot com or find me on twitter: https://twitter.com/mire_tyler 

My day job has always been playing trumpet and writing music. I enjoy writing music in all styles and for all types of ensembles. This page will contain samples of compositions, arrangements and my trumpet playing.

Tyler Mire Big Band CDs: https://store.cdbaby.com/artist/tylermirebigband

Shadows of Adam OST: https://shadowsofadam.bandcamp.com/releases

Shadows of Adam on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/506510/Shadows_of_Adam/

Shadows of Adam on Switch:
https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/shadows-of-adam-switch/

Enjoy!

-T

Simple And Clean

Tyler Mire Music

Related tracks