Composer Jim Nollman brings animal music to Portland

A 1982 album featuring 300 turkeys singing a folk song has led one composer to a decades long career recording with whales.

Jim Nollman is set to perform at the Hollywood Theatre on November 1, 2026, alongside Portland filmmaker Rankin Renwick.

Nollman began his artistic journey in the avant garde scene, a community influenced by John Cage's use of non standard instruments like conch shells and animal bones.

While Cage focused on classical music, Nollman aimed for popular audiences. He recorded the track Music to Eat Thanksgiving Dinner By on a Bay Area farm by singing the 16th century English folk song Frog Went A-Courtin’ to the turkeys.

That 1982 record, Playing Music With Animals, also featured tracks recorded with wolves in a Nevada sanctuary and orcas.

Nollman continued working with various animals for 30 years, including Norway rats and dolphins.

He found that working with cetaceans helped him attract supporters and secure a sustainable career.

"Nobody wanted to go and sit with me while I was playing with turkeys, except for some crazy TV shows at the time," Nollman said.

"But when I started working with cetaceans, I could attract people to support me. I was hooked, and I was as interested as everybody else in the powers of cetaceans. So at that point, and for the next almost 30 years, I got to do it. I was allowed to do this music and have a life that wasn't completely impoverished," he added.

His 1999 record Orca's Greatest Hits was re released in August by Smithsonian Folkways.

Renwick discovered Nollman's work two years ago while creating the video installation Translation Please.

A colleague loaned Renwick a record, and the filmmaker noticed their dog reacting to the music at home. The dog tilted its head toward the speakers and then stepped on a squeaky toy that produced two tones similar to those made by an orca in the recording. Renwick filmed the interaction and included it in the installation.