Three Folk Songs

Composed in April 2021, Three Folk Songs, are a re-working for folk melodies from the North East of England that explore the combination of folk with jazz and modal harmonies. The first, Waters of Tyne, has a lullaby quality that moves fluidly and dreamily throughout different keys. The second, Blow the Wind Southerly, has a more static harmony allowing the melody to unfold throughout the piece. The third and final movement of the collection, The Keel Row, is a fast dance played out over a repeating ostinato.


The piece was originally composed for vibraphone for Japanese percussionist, Mizuki Aita, and later transcribed for solo piano.