THE PEOPLES KING by Noam Lemish

A Musical Tribute to Bhutan

Thursday, April 24th

THE MUSIC GALLERY

197 John St.

Church of St. George The Martyr: 1 block north of Queen St. We. on the NE corner of John St. & Stephanie St.

Doors at 7:00 pm, concert & presentation at 8:00 pm

$20 advance / $15 for Music Gallery members and students

Presented in association with Small World Music & The 12th Annual Asian Music Series

Tickets:

https://www.musicgallery.org/ticketing/raotsstart.php

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The Peoples King is a four-part suite, composed by Noam Lemish during his time teaching in Thimphu in 2009-10 and presented to the King of Bhutan on the occasion of His Majestys 30th birthday. The original composition has been modified for jazz quartet, and this special concert is the projects Toronto premiere. It will be accompanied by a presentation by the composer about the musical and cultural traditions of this little-known Himalayan nation.

Links:

www.thepeoplesking.com

www.facebook.com/thepeoplesking

The band:

Noam Lemish: piano, composition & arrangement

Sundar Viswanathan: reeds

Justin Gray: bass

Derek Gray: drums

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About The Peoples King

The Peoples King is a musical tribute to Bhutan, its dedicated and compassionate King, its beautiful culture, and wonderful people all of whom touched pianist & composer Noam Lemish during his residence as a volunteer music teacher in Bhutans capital city of Thimphu in 2009-2010.

This musical offeringcommissioned by The Royal Office of Media in celebration of the Kings 30th birthdayfeatures four traditional Bhutanese instruments, piano, and chanting monks, and integrates jazz, classical Western music, and traditional Bhutanese folk music. This multi-movement suite was recorded and delivered to His Majesty, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on the occasion of his thirtieth birthday, February 21st, 2010; with excerpts performed before him in July of that 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 Majestys Birthday.

Upon his return to North America, Noam arranged the concert-length suite for jazz quartet featuring piano, woodwinds, bass and drums; while continuing to incorporate the recorded chanting monks in the live performance. The jazz adaptation made its world premiere on opening night of the 2011 Healdsburg Jazz Festival in northern California and has since been performed on numerous occasions.