Sailing Wind by Halim El-Dabh performed by Blake Tyson, vibraphone, at PASIC 2010

Notes by Halim El-Dabh: When my longtime friend Blake Tyson suggested that I write a composition for vibraphone I was excited and challenged. I had used the vibraphone as part of the orchestra, but the idea of writing for it as a solo instrument was new to me. He organized a consortium of twenty-three musicians who collectively commissioned the work. I told Blake that I would like all of the musicians to write me letters expressing their relationship with the instrument and the kinds of music that the