Tim Garland’s ground-breaking suite for symphony orchestra and improvising musicians is featured on the double CD Libra. Entitled Frontier, it was recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road. It can be performed live with three improvisers with an aim that no (or very little) amplification is needed.

Other works of Garland’s for these forces include three interpretations of themes by Thelonious Monk; “Who Is Father Time?” written originally for an African dance company, two lullaby’s and “Fantasy On Crystal Silence written after the famous Chick Corea composition, all from The Mystery, which features Tim and Chick Corea.

There is also his saxophone concerto premiered by the BBC, entitled The Coltrane Variations”, and a short piece commissioned by the LSO, inspired by cartoon music, called “Overture To The Life Of A Real Boy”. For the pieces Tim is not himself playing in he is able to conduct if desired. There is now a double concerto written for the Argentine cellist Eduardo Vassallo and Tim, where emotionally charged tango influences meet those of jazz, see the clip including conductor Kristjan Jarvi below.

Previous programmes have included works by Bernstein, Ravel, Millaud, Gershwin and Poulenc.

Tim also won a Grammy in 2009 for his work with Chick Corea on the CD The New Crystal Silence, which included the full forces of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra playing “magnificent and creative arrangements...” – (Pat Metheny) of five of Chicks classic tunes.