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Musicians to play Thai king's songs

Renowned Thai and Vietnamese saxophonists will perform tonight at the HCM City Opera House to celebrate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (August 6, 1976-2011).

Organised by the Royal Thai Consulate General in HCM City, the concert will have Sekpol Unsamran and Tran Manh Tuan perform compositions by Thai King Bhumipol Adulyadej, an accomplished saxophone player himself.

The King's compositions that will be performed include: Love at Sundown, the first of his compositions performed publicly; Candlelight Blues and Twilight, Falling Rain, composed prior to his accession to the throne; Magic Beams, composed after his return to reside permanently in Thailand; and Oh I Say.

At least 15 compositions of the Thai King will be performed during the concert, a consulate press release said.

The 39-year-old Sekpol Unsamran, affectionately called Koh Mr Saxman, began his professional career in 1989, when he was16 years old.

He has performed in 10 different countries and won several awards.

Koh teaches music and saxophone in the music departments at Mahidol, Kasetsart and Rangsit universities.

Saxophonist Tuan was born in Ha Noi into a family of stage performers. Tuan began playing the saxophone in 1979 and was the first Vietnamese musician to receive a scholarship from the Berkley College of Music in Boston.

He was named the best saxophonist in Viet Nam in 1991. He has toured Europe, Russia, China, Thailand, Singapore and the US.

Tuan has also performed with numerous international musicians, including saxophonist Hans Dulfer, Fulvio Albano, Rob Mullins, Mike Del Frerro, John Ferguson, Stephan Echer, Co Co York, Jennifer Ryan, Mezcal Jazz Unit Group, Dana Leong and Denis Mininfield.

While Tuan is considered a leader in the Vietnamese jazz movement, his favourite music is one that combines traditional Vietnamese music with contemporary music.

Besides the King's compositions, Tuan will also perform Vietnamese traditional music, including the song Qua Cau Gio Bay (Crossing the Bridge).



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