Published
29-3-2025
Type of Work
Creative Work - Music
Advisors and Contributors
Ned Friedman (producer) Enrico Le Mura (recording engineer) Marly Lüske (mixing and mastering) Merinda Dias-Jayasinha (voice) Andrew Garton (woodwinds) Sophie Min (piano and keyboards) Toby Wren (guitar) Andrew Shaw (double bass) John Parker (drum set)
Abstract
Songs for Dead Sailors is a psychological exploration of love and loss in the era of tall ships; a song cycle about leaving a home and loved ones, to journey with no promise of a return. The work was scored for a sextet of improvising musicians and reflects my interest in the creative process and my experiences teaching creative practice research. It was written for the specific group of jazz musicians that you hear on this recording, with their particular instrumental talents and styles very much in mind. The work provides challenges to the players, drawing as it does on a number of other traditions and music practices. Its use of tuplets (polyrhythm) is more in line with new ‘classical’ music, the instrumentation is akin to orchestral composition practices, and rhythmically, it draws from South Indian (Carnatic) music. The work is also a song cycle, and the musicians are asked to contribute in line with the continuing narrative and compositional structure. The album was produced by Ned Friedman, recorded by Enrico LeMura at The Hive, and mixed and mastered by Marly Lüske at SAE Brisbane and Alchemy.
Notes
1. Access: 12 tracks (AAC)
2. https://www.tobywren.com/products-1
https://tobywren1.bandcamp.com/
Citation
Wren, T. (2025). Songs for dead sailors [Music recording]. Made Now Music.
Link to Published Work
https://www.tobywren.com/products-1