Discography

Tourmaline is Dylan Ward’s debut solo electroacoustic album. Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone that presents in a multitude of color schemes and is found throughout the world. It is known as “the stone of reconciliation” and is believed to foster positive energy, healing, and connections with the Earth. Tourmaline also serves as a symbolic representation of the philosopher’s stone of the alchemical tradition, believed to be capable of transforming base metals into gold, attaining divine wisdom, perfecting the human body and spirit, and achieving immortality.

Tourmaline explores these ideas through the prism of stylistic pluralism in order to produce a kaleidoscopic array of electroacoustic textures, whereby the saxophone undergoes a sonic transmutation from a solo acoustic object into a hybrid electroacoustic object that is deeply integrated within the electronic sound world. Music by Alexandra Gardner, Viet Cuong, Seth Andrew Davis, Kenneth Michael Florence, and Emma O’Halloran. This project was made possible by generous support from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Graduate Studies Research Award Grant. Released on Neuma Records.

Joe Tesoro–audio engineer
Zach Shemon–producer
Colin Patrick Mosely–artwork and design
Seth Andrew Davis–laptop and electronics on track 3
Kenneth Michael Florence–guitars, pianos, and electronics on track 4

Hocket is the debut recording of Dionysus, a saxophone duo comprised of Ali Wright and Dylan Ward. This project explores the musical technique of “hocket” and includes works by living American composers informed by the minimalist/post-minimalist tradition. Music by Augusta Read Thomas, Meredith Monk, Kirsten Broberg, Philip Glass, David Biedenbender, and Marc Mellits.

Joe Tesoro, audio engineer
Colin Mosely, artwork and design

Solace is a collaboration between virtuoso alto saxophonist and PRISM Quartet member Zach Shemon and the University of Missouri–Kansas City Wind Symphony, under the direction of Steven D. Davis. Music by Joel Love. Released on XAS Records.

Heroic Dose is an eponymous ten track album is inspired by the work of ethnobotanist and psychonaut Terence McKenna. Heroic Dose encodes the transformational imagery and sonic possibilities drawn from psychedelic experience into musical input for acoustic instruments, which is then further transformed through electronic processes. Released on Mother Brain Records.

Seth Andrew Davis, mixing and mastering
Austin Glascoe, artwork and design

A Longing for Interspecies Companionship is the debut recording of Heroic Dose, a saxophone and laptop/electronics duo comprised of Dylan Ward and Seth Andrew Davis. This project was presented in collaboration with visual artist Colin Mosley, and is a six part meditation which explores humanity’s relationship with the natural world through a digital lens. Released on Mother Brain Records.

Seth Andrew Davis, mixing and mastering
Colin Mosely, artwork and design