MY MUSIC STORY
MY
MUSIC
STORY
Academically I had the joy of studying at The West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) attaining both a Bachelor of Music (Jazz) Honours - Composition and Arrangement with First Class Honors and a Master of Creative Arts. In my postgraduate research I focused on Impressionism and Spectral Music, with an exploration of musical colors still influencing how I write today. While studying I was presented the Jazz Society Encouragement Award (2000), membership into the Golden Key International Honor Society, the Melville Toyota Scholarship and the highly coveted Edith Cowan University Scholarship for Masters Research. Upon graduating I helped launch the arts school at the Mount Pleasant College where I functioned as head of department. As a composer and arranger I've had the privilege of working with some incredibly talented artists. A move to Nashville in 2013 with my family opened the door to a number of amazing collaboration opportunities that I am so grateful to have contributed to. Below is a small selection of this work with some insight into my involvement with each project.
LOOK UP CHILD
The songs on this album allowed me to explore a soul & jazz sound in the arrangements.
The producer Paul Mabury, my twin brother, asked me to work to the piano track and Lauren's vocal.
All other production elements were added later, giving me a lot of creative freedom.
Look Up Child went on to win two Grammy Awards and become a platinum selling album.
Still Rolling Stones, This Girl and Rebel Heart
are different sounding songs that each have a special place in my heart.
Writing and recording the strings that are heard at the end of This Girl remains a highlight in my career.
LOOK UP CHILD
The songs on this album allowed me to explore a soul & jazz sound in the arrangements. The producer Paul Mabury, my twin brother, asked me to work to the piano track and Lauren's vocal. All other production elements were added later, giving me a lot of creative freedom.
Look Up Child went on to
win two Grammy Awards
and become a
platinum selling album.
Still Rolling Stones,
This Girl & Rebel Heart
are different sounding songs
that each have a
special place in my heart.
Writing and recording the
strings that are heard
at the end of This Girl remains
a highlight in my career.
AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
Brian and Jenn Johnson had a vision to create a cinematic sounding worship album.
My arrangements are featured on every song with both a vocal and instrumental release of the record.
Gravity and Mention of Your Name allowed me to utilize some string textures that I especially enjoyed recording.
AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
Brian and Jenn Johnson had a vision to create a cinematic sounding worship album. My arrangements are featured on every song with both a vocal and instrumental release of the record.
Gravity and
Mention of Your Name
allowed me to utilize some string textures that I especially enjoyed recording.
WOUNDS
When working on the song Wounds for Jordan Feliz
I took advantage of some extra time we had in the studio.
I wrote a 'B-side' arrangement honoring the original while
incorporating some reharmonization and an alternate ending.
I BELIEVE IN JESUS
There's an anthemic quality to this tune by Chris Tomlin
that so much of his music has managed to captured.
I endeavored to underscore this attribute with a rhythmic string
ostinato on the bridge and some soaring lines on the chorus.
TAKE IT TO JESUS
In this arrangement for Anna Golden, featuring Kari Jobe,
I wanted to create a sound that balanced
both the pain and warmth of the lyrics while
supporting the dynamic changes.
UNRAVELING
This powerful song by Cory Asbury was recorded
during the pandemic with a smaller string section.
I enjoyed creating tension and release as I strived
to capture the emotion of the vocal performance.
WOUNDS
When working on the song
Wounds for Jordan Feliz
I took advantage of some extra
time we had in the studio.
I wrote a 'B-side' arrangement
honoring the original while
incorporating some
reharmonization and an
alternate ending.
I BELIEVE IN JESUS
There's an anthemic quality
to this tune by Chris Tomlin
that so much of his music
has managed to capture.
I endeavored to underscore this
attribute with a rhythmic string
ostinato on the bridge and some
soaring lines on the chorus.
UNRAVELING
This powerful song by
Cory Asbury was recorded
during the pandemic with a
smaller string section.
I enjoyed creating tension
and release as I strived
to capture the emotion of
the vocal performance.
TAKE IT TO JESUS
In this arrangement for
Anna Golden, featuring Kari Jobe,
I wanted to create a sound
that captured both the pain
and hope of the lyrics as it
accentuated the dynamic changes.
PRODUCTION DISCOGRAPHY
ARRANGER AND CONDUCTOR
- Chris Tomlin – I Believe in Jesus; O Lord You’re Beautiful. 2022
- Anna Golden and Kari Jobe – Take it to Jesus. 2022
- Jordan Feliz – Jesus is Coming Back; Wounds. 2020
- Cory Asbury – Unraveling; I’m Sorry. 2020
- Lauren Daigle – Look Up Child – Carnegie Hall New York live show. 2019
Guest Conductor for the song This Girl
- Lauren Daigle – Look Up Child. 2018
Arrangements for full album.
- Brian and Jenn Johnson – After All These Years. 2017
Arrangements for full album.
Album also released as an instrumental.
ARRANGER AND CONDUCTOR
- Chris Tomlin – I Believe in Jesus; O Lord You’re Beautiful. 2022
- Anna Golden and Kari Jobe – Take it to Jesus. 2022
- Jordan Feliz – Jesus is Coming Back; Wounds. 2020
- Cory Asbury – Unraveling; I’m Sorry. 2020
- Lauren Daigle – Look Up Child – Carnegie Hall New York live show. 2019
Guest Conductor for the song This Girl
- Lauren Daigle – Look Up Child. 2018
Arrangements for Full album
- Brian and Jenn Johnson – After All These Years. 2017
- Brian and Jenn Johnson – After All These Years Instrumental. 2017
Arrangements for Full album
ARRANGER AND CONDUCTOR
Chris Tomlin - 2022
O Lord You're Beautiful
I Believe In Jesus
Anna Golden and Kari Jobe - 2022
Take it to Jesus.
Jordan Feliz - 2020
Jesus is Coming Back
Wounds
Cory Asbury - 2020
Unraveling
I’m Sorry
Lauren Daigle
Look Up Child : Carnegie Hall - 2019
Guest Conductor for the song This Girl
Look Up Child - 2018
Arrangements for full album
Brian and Jenn Johnson - 2017
After All These Years
After All These Years Instrumental
Arrangements for full album
ARRANGER
- Debbie Winans – The Story. 2022
- Matt Maher – Run to the Father. 2020
- Natalie Grant – No Stranger. 2020
- Lauren Daigle – Look Up Child – Lafayette live show 2019
Arrangements for the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra
- Australian Army Band Perth, Perth Police Bagpipes
and Church Chorus. International Prayer Event. 2010
- Horizons – Perth Convention Exhibition Centre. 2004
Commemorating the opening
LOOK UP CHILD
ACHIEVMENTS
Certified 4 x platinum by the RIAA
Grammy - Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. 2018
Grammy - Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance - You Say. 2018
Billboard Music Awards - Top Christian Album 2018
GMA Dove Awards - Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. 2018
You Say - Most weeks at No.1 - US Hot Christian Songs chart
LOOK UP CHILD
ACHIEVMENTS
Certified 4 x platinum by the RIAA
Grammy - Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. 2018
Grammy - Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance - You Say. 2018
Billboard Music Awards - Top Christian Album 2018
GMA Dove Awards - Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. 2018
You Say - Most weeks at No.1 - US Hot Christian Songs chart
LOOK UP CHILD
ACHIEVMENTS
Certified 4 x platinum
by the RIAA
Grammy
Best Contemporary
Christian Music Album
2018
Grammy
Best Contemporary
Christian Music Performance
2018
Billboard Music Awards
Top Christian Album
2018
GMA Dove Awards
Pop/Contemporary
Album of the Year
2018
You Say
Most weeks at No.1
US Hot Christian Songs chart
ARRANGER
- Debbie Winans – The Story. 2022
- Matt Maher – Run to the Father. 2020
- Natalie Grant – No Stranger. 2020
- Lauren Daigle – Look Up Child – Lafayette live show 2019
Arrangements for the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra
- Australian Army Band Perth, Perth Police Bagpipes
and Church Chorus. International Prayer Event. 2010
- Horizons – Perth Convention Exhibition Centre. 2004
Commemorating the opening
ARRANGER
Debbie Winans - 2017
The Story
Matt Maher - 2020
Run to the Father
Natalie Grant - 2020
No Stranger
Lauren Daigle - 2019
Look Up Child
Lafayette live show with the
Acadiana Symphony Orchestra
Australian Army Band Perth
Perth Police Bagpipes and
Church Chorus - 2010
International Prayer Event
Horizons - 2004
Commemorating the opening of the
Perth Convention Exhibition Centre
COMPOSER AND ARRANGER
- Apocalypse (French mini-series) – J&Us Films. 2022
- Compassion – Campaign and story videos. 2008-2012
Australia and International
- Child in Charge – Independent film documentary. 2007
- The Jive Express – Covered. 2003
- The Jive Express – Cutting Deeper. 2001
- The Jive Express – Vision Inspired by Emmanuel. 1999
CO-COMPOSER AND ARRANGER
- Believe (film) – Freestyle Releasing & Smith Global Media. 2016
TRANSCRIBE AND SCORE
- Vian Izak – Vian Izak Live album. 2021
COMPOSER AND ARRANGER
- Apocalypse (French mini-series) – J&Us Films. 2022
- Compassion – Campaign and story videos for Australia and International. 2008-2012
- Child in Charge – Independent film documentary. 2007
- The Jive Express – Covered. 2003
- The Jive Express – Cutting Deeper. 2001
- The Jive Express – Vision Inspired by Emmanuel. 1999
CO-COMPOSER AND ARRANGER
- Believe (film) – Freestyle Releasing & Smith Global Media. 2016
TRANSCRIBE AND SCORE
- Vian Izak – Vian Izak Live album. 2021