David M. Torn (born May 26, 1953)[1] is an American guitarist, composer, and producer. He is known for combining electronic and acoustic instruments and for his use oflooping.
Torn was born inAmityville, New York,[1] He is married to Linda B. Brecht-Torn (b. 1952). David Torn is the son of Lawrence J. Torn (1926-2017) and Rhoda G. Torn (1927-2010); he is the father of electronic musician Elijah B. Torn (b. 1979) and Cody M. Torn (b. 1983). He is the brother of Marsha Torn and Linda Torn, and he was a cousin of actorRip Torn (1931-2019). He is the cousin ofAngelica Torn (b. 1964).
Torn began his career with the Ithaca-based jam band Zobo Funn Band in the 1970s, and rose to prominence as a member of The Everyman Band andJan Garbarek's quartet in the mid-1980s. He has recorded solo and group recordings for theECM,Windham Hill, CMP and 75 Ark labels.
In the 1990s, Torn was diagnosed with anacoustic neuroma, in his case, a life-threatening form of brain tumor. The surgery that followed left him deaf in the right ear but he remains able to compose, record, and play. He mixes many widely available recordings himself, although according to him this requires sitting sideways to the studio speakers and "visualising the stereo aspects of sound" in his head rather than experimenting with them by ear.[4]
In 2006, Torn's film score forBelieve in Me won the Best Score-award at the Jackson Hole Film Festival. In 2003, his score for the filmThe Order was nominated for aGrammy Award.
Torn in 2008
In 2007, Torn releasedPrezens withTim Berne.Jazzwise called the album "a vibrating collage full of shimmering sonic shapes, a dark, urban electronic soundscape–a potent mix of jazz, free-form rock and technology that is both demanding and rewarding."[5]
In 2013, Torn performed as a guitarist on David Bowie's penultimate album,The Next Day[6]—his third collaboration with the artist. In the same year, Torn had a solo guitar performance and talk atTEDx Caltech 2013: The Brain. The presentation examined his brain tumor diagnosis and recovery.[7]
As a session artist, composer, and producer, David Torn has experimented with many effects boxes, amplifiers, and instruments, and he has spoken with amplifier designers and pedal builders about their craft. In an interview withPremier Guitar magazine following the release of his solo albumOnly Sky, he shared an extensive list of the instruments and effects he uses. He plays a Ronin Mirari guitar with Foilbucker pickups and also lists a large number of amplifiers such as aFryette Aether amplifier, and many guitar effects pedals including theTC Electronic Classic TC XIIPhaser, Catalinbread Antichthon,DigiTech Whammy, and the Neunaber Stereo WetReverb.[8]
