Bayo's Way, for Tuba with live electronics and brass ensemble was composed in 1993 as a commission for the London Brass ensemble.  In writing for the extraordinary Oren Marshall, I had the possibility of writing for totally extended electric tuba. Over the last few years Oren Marshall, has extended the range of his instrument by developing a style involving the use of live electronic effects. Bayo's Way, was partly designed to be a vehicle to present the full potential of the tuba as a solo instrument and in particular Oren Marshall's extended techniques.
The title is a dedication to Bayo Oshunbiyi, a Nigerian born poet and photographer who's personality and life-style inspired this work. Oshunbiyi, lives with an intensity that is sometimes frightening and as he would say, "on the edge". The time between dusk and dawn is often spent in the serious appreciation of music. Oshunbiyi, frequents all the best Jazz venues and knows many of the musicians who play there. At six in the morning, when the band has gone, elevated by the power of the music, he is still sparkling with enthusiasm for life and art. My composition attempts to capture some of the atmosphere, energy and almost continuous musical accompaniment of this nocturnal existence.


Bayos way

Jeremy Arden