L.A. STUDIO LEGENDS: THE REUNION - The Great Los Angeles Studio Musicians Celebrate John Williams

The Legacy of John Williams presents L.A. STUDIO LEGENDS: THE REUNION, an online video event featuring the great Los Angeles studio musicians reuniting for the first time in years to celebrate composer John Williams.

The video discussion explores the unparalleled contribution that the great Los Angeles-based studio players brought to many of John Williams’ film soundtracks and recordings in a conversation with some of the world’s most legendary studio musicians who performed in principal roles on dozens of Maestro Williams' scores recorded in Hollywood from the late 1960s until recent years

Hosted by Maurizio Caschetto and Tim Burden

Featuring Special Guests
Louise Di Tullio, flute
Ralph Grierson, piano and keyboards
Malcolm McNab, trumpet
James Self, tuba
Sheridon Stokes, flute
James Thatcher, French Horn

with Richard Kaufman, conductor and former violinist

Video Editing and Post-Production by Maurizio Caschetto
Illustration by Gianmaria Caschetto

Special Thanks to Miguel Andrade, Dave Lang, Stephanie McNab, Ronald Royer, Mike Matessino

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The Legacy of John Williams - Celebrating the Music and the Art of Maestro John Williams

Listen to the podcast show:

[aaronshows]

Maurizio, this is so hugely incredible. You're doing something special and truly unique with your podcast and programs like this. You're able to "freeze" these valuable moments in time when we still have these world class players with us, and are giving them a voice by letting them share their stories. I know you don't get enough credit for how much endless hours of work goes on behind the scenes with planning, recording, and editing, but please keep doing it. You have many of us out here in the world, especially musicians and composers like myself, who are incredibly grateful to what you're creating and documenting here. Thank you, and happy new year!

[Kossi.]

*It was like a Symphony to put the Artists who participate with Maestro John Williams together, Thank you Maurizio Caschetto and Tim Burden!*

[flonsta]

We lost the great Sheridon Stokes not long after this was recorded (and he was wonderful during this entire discussion). And just two days before Stokes passed, Vince DeRosa, the legendary French horn player that all the players talked about so glowingly here, passed away. RIP to those two greats and bless everyone who participated in this fantastic discussion. Just a joy to behold!

[annfenlason]

Maurizio, this podcast is incredible! I was a fan of John Williams before I even knew what that meantas he wrote my favorite TV theme to one of my favorite childhood shows: Lost in Space (I think it was Season 3 when we heard his new theme--the one with the countdown. Who was the french horn player on that amazing ascending chromatic run into the exposition of the theme?). As a former professional flutist and orchestral player (who secretly always wanted to be a studio musician), it was a joy to hear these brilliant musicians not only share their memories of working with Mr. Williams but also of the respect (and awe) they had for the musical gifts of one another. Your interview was marvelous--and, at two hours long, still not long enough! I listened to it almost exclusively on my work commute this past week and now must watch it on video; I'll also be posting a link on my Facebook page. Thank you so much for this gift!

[sickheadache]

When John Williams is ask about his favorite scores..John Mentions Three Scores Consistently over and over.

Schindler’s List, Images, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I always wonder what would be the next two top favorites of John Williams? E.T.? Jaws?

I truly believe that the Academy awarded John Williams the wrong score in 1977, Star Wars is Damn Good, but Close Encounters was an Excellent score…Very Complicated and truly wild at the end. I can see why John Williams picks it constantly in his top Three Scores. I realize there are two scores going on…The Soundtrack Score…But the best Rendition of John Williams music of Close Encounters, is the Film Score. But when the Mothership Closes the door, and Barry says Goodbye..the music is low…and a long note and finally the Mothership takes off, and then a very small silence and then the Orchestra builds into the Five Notes Theme….The Film Version of Moment..to me is truly Spectacular and Beautiful.

I heard John Williams as a kid, watching Irwin Allen’s Lost in Space, Land of the Giants, and then…Movies of Irwin Allen’s The Poseidon Adventure, and The Towering Inferno. The Towering Inferno was my very first Album I purchased of a John Williams soundtrack. And The rest is history. I am damn happy that Mike Matessino and Intrada and LalaLand Records are releasing all of these wonderful John Williams Expanded Soundtracks. I am also glad of The team at The Legacy of John Williams, Maurizio Cashsetto, Tim Burden and of course when Mike Matessino is on board talking how he put together one of John Williams scores. I truly hope we all soon hear..Mark Rydell’s The Reiver’s…and The Biggest of Big Scores..Steven Spielberg’s The Sugarland Express.

Thank You All..For making an old man seem so not weird, cuz for years of just Listening to John Williams, John Barry, and Jerry Goldsmith.

[StevenSmith-nqxe]

What a wonderful program. The exchanges among these exceptional artists, and the warmth of feeling they have for each other and for Maestro Williams, is beautiful to see and hear. I loved the music and clip selections as well. Thank you for creating this, and bravo to Maurizio and his terrific team.

[safariben]

This was so much fun! I love how humble and matter of fact everyone seemed! Just people in love playing the best music ever made!

[joeleverettmusic]

This is wonderful; someone really needs to do a video documentary of John Williams - especially with the Spielberg footage. c.f. Jerry Goldsmith's Film Master DVD. Especially oral interviews with him and other sessions players while we are still blessed with everyone here. Thank you all for sharing your musical gifts and insights with us! ♫

[RunarLundvall]

I just discovered this series, and I just would like to say that this is absolutely incredible. I wish the episode would never end! Thank you so so much, Maurizio and Tim!

[ericb.]

This "shop talk" session is a great insight into John Williams' genius.
I think this tribute also depicts how the best musicians can never, ever be equaled by synthesizers or "AI" music.

[arnauddunoyer]

Fascinating stories. It’s about time we feature this wrecking crew.

[felixstephanmusic]

very interesting, would love to see a part 2

[antonyborden]

Loved every bit of that, thankyou very much. John williams music is the soundtrack of my life! And these people also on this video. Have given me great pleasure for many years. Happy Christmas everyone.

[NickAudy]

Absolutely amazing video. Hands down these are the stories and insight I always wanted to hear about as a fellow composer, musician, and fellow John Williams super fan. His music completely changed my life when I first heard his scores played in the BSO when I was 4. Music for me has never been the same since ❤️

[larsonstudios]

Thank you for this Maurizio! Absolutely wonderful! I'm watching for the second time with my children. :)

On a side note, I love the logo made from piano keys on this video; very clever. May I ask who created the logo? I need a logo created myself. Thanks again!

[kelleycrockett]

Loved it. Fantastic to hear from those who made it happen. The piano solo at the END of ET as well as putting up the bicycle scene with the music literally soaring with the kids were great examples of the critical attention to detail. So many favorite films and the clips here really drew out exceptional music moments. Talking about how Williams didn’t microinterpret the musician’s take on a piece as well as the discussion about how he worked with Spielberg in particular gave me a better insight into his process. So interesting, thanks for doing this.

[GwcMuso]

This is top stuff and very interesting (and amusing) to listen to...Thank you...👍

[navidhendrix]

Hello from Trinidad and Tobago (in the Caribbean)

[andresteylaerts]

dat waren zeer interessante gesprekken

[christianlewarth]

I have a question: Is it confirmed that John Williams played piano on the 1961 West Side Story soundtrack?