Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Thailand

Birth

:

December 5, 1927 in Cambridge, MA

Death

:

October 13, 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand

 

Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as King Rama IX, was a renowned composer and musician who was born on December 5, 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. He was the youngest son of Prince Mahidol Adulyadej and Mom Sangwan Talapat, both of whom were studying at Harvard University at the time of his birth. Bhumibol's father was a prince of the Chakri dynasty, which had ruled Thailand since 1782. Bhumibol's family returned to Thailand when he was just two years old, and he grew up in the royal palace in Bangkok. His mother was a talented musician who played the piano and violin, and she encouraged her children to learn music from a young age. Bhumibol began playing the piano when he was four years old, and he later learned to play the saxophone, clarinet, and trumpet. Bhumibol's musical education continued when he was sent to Switzerland to attend school at the age of 13. He studied at the Ecole Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande in Lausanne, where he received formal training in music theory and composition. He also played in a jazz band with his classmates, which helped to develop his improvisational skills. After completing his education in Switzerland, Bhumibol returned to Thailand and began composing music in earnest. He wrote his first song, "Love at Sundown," when he was just 18 years old. The song was later recorded by Thai singer Sodsai Pantoomkomol, and it became a hit in Thailand. Bhumibol's musical career took off in the 1950s, when he became the king of Thailand following the death of his brother, King Ananda Mahidol. As king, Bhumibol had access to the best musicians and composers in Thailand, and he used his position to promote classical music in the country. He founded the Silpakorn University Orchestra in 1953, and he also established the Thai Traditional Music Orchestra in 1960. Bhumibol's compositions were heavily influenced by both Western classical music and traditional Thai music. He often combined elements of both styles in his works, creating a unique sound that was distinctly Thai. Some of his most famous compositions include "H.M. Blues," "Candlelight Blues," and "Falling Rain." In addition to his work as a composer, Bhumibol was also an accomplished jazz musician. He played the saxophone and clarinet, and he often performed with his own jazz band, the "Sala Sudasiri Sobha Band." He also collaborated with jazz musicians from around the world, including Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, and Stan Getz. Bhumibol's contributions to music were recognized both in Thailand and around the world. He received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the UNESCO Mozart Medal in 1987 and the International Jazz Festival Award in 2000. He was also a member of the Royal Academy of Music in London and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Bhumibol continued to compose and perform music throughout his life, even as he faced health problems in his later years. He passed away on October 13, 2016, at the age of 88. His legacy as a composer and musician lives on, and his contributions to the world of music will be remembered for generations to come.

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