A chorus of seven voices, a powerful instrument indeed !

Capstand shanties, halyard shanties, laments, forecastle songs, short haul shanties, songs and music to accompany work and play.  Inspired by this tradition of maritime music, Seán Dagher has arranged these songs and tunes to display all the warmth and depth they deserve. Music from England, Scotland, Ireland, the Americas, and the Carabbean sung by a chorus of seven male voices. All aboard!

The journey of Sea Songs & Shanties began in Montréal, Canada, in 2012 when a band of seven musicians worked with Ubisoft to create the memorable soundtrack to Assassin’s Creed III, followed by Black Flag in 2013 and Rogue in 2014. The success of these games and the huge popularity of their soundtracks convinced La Nef to bring the group together again for a concert in November 2014. The concert was nominated for 3 Opus Awards (Quebec Music Industry Awards), winning Creation of the Year  for the song ‘Leave her Johnny’. In May 2017 the album Sea Songs & Shanties was released to critical acclaim and sold out in 3 months. La Nef has been touring the show intensively ever since.

In 2024, the symphonic version of the concert was created. La Nef partnered with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra (VSO) in British Columbia (Canada). The original orchestrations are by Seán Dagher, in collaboration with VSO’s Principal Pop Conductor Seán O’Loughlin. This concert, which marvelously combines the beauty of sea shanties with the grandeur of orchestral music, can also be performed with local choirs.

Seán Dagher, musical direction, voice, cittern; Kate Bevan-Baker, violin, voice;
David Gossage, flute, voice; Bill Gossage, double bass, voice;
Nils Brown, Michiel Schrey, Clayton Kennedy, voice

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