The People’s KING

The People’s King is a musical tribute to Bhutan, its beautiful culture and wonderful people – all of whom touched me during my residence as a volunteer music teacher in Thimphu in 2009-2010.

This musical offering, commissioned by The Royal Office of Media in celebration of the King’s 30th birthday employs four traditional Bhutanese instruments, piano, and chanting monks, and integrates jazz, western art music, and traditional Bhutanese folk music. This multi-movement suite was recorded and delivered to His Majesty, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on February 21st, 2010 with excerpts performed before him in July of that same year.

The monks of Dechen Phodrang Monastery in Thimphu were recorded especially for the purpose of this composition, chanting the Amitayus mantra of Limitless Life in dedication to His Majesty’s birthday.

In the years since my return from Bhutan, I have arranged this full concert length multi-movement suite for jazz quartet, while continuing to incorporate the recorded chanting monks and have performed it in multiple venues in both the United States and Canada.