The Supreme Artist

"… Whether jazz or otherwise, music is part of me. It is a part of everyone, an essential part of us all. To me, music is something fine and beautiful. I think we should all recognise the value of music in all its forms, since all types of music have their place and time, and respond to different kinds of emotions."

His Majesty in an interview broadcast on Voice of America, National Broadcasting Station, June 21, 1960.

The concert, to celebrate His Majesty's 80th birthday, brings back memories of the early 1950s when the King and his band played at the Ambara Villa, Dusit Palace and broadcast their concert on a local radio station to entertain his people.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will graciously preside over the concert, proceeds from which will go toward the restoration of Phya Thai Palace.

Throughout the past 50 years, the "Aw Saw Friday" Band has played a vital role in linking the King with his people through music. Thais are also pleased their beloved monarch maintains his interest in music despite many royal duties.

In days gone by, the weekly entertainment by "Aw Saw Friday Band" was very popular as people knew that the King joined the on-air performance, occasionally hosted the programme and picked records that were broadcast.

Fans phoned in to request their favourite music and did not realise that sometimes the person who took their call was their King.

His Majesty's first band was the "Lay Kram Band". The new generation of the original band included young musicians who played with veterans. The two groups later became "The Ambara Villa" (Amphorn Satarn) Friday" or "AS (pronounced "Aw Saw" as in the Thai letters).

Today, the "Aw Saw Radio" has been moved to grounds of Chitralada Villa and still broadcasts.

The band members performing tonight are Manrat Srikaranonda (piano), Non Buranasomphop (saritone saxophone), Maj Gen Taveesak Taveesri (trumpet), Taworn Yaowakun (drums), Kavi Ansvananda (tenor saxophone), Suvit Ansvananda (bass), Sandat Tandhanan (trombone,) Anirut Tinakorn Na Ayudhya (guitar) and Dr Padhorn Srikaranonda (alto saxophone).

Two regular members - ML Usni Pramoj and Pallop Suwanmalik - could not join the concert due to health reasons. The current band members are aged between 50 and 80 years old.

The concert will feature 12 songs, seven of them composed by the King, including "Friday Night Rag", "Blues for Uthit", "Rak (Waltz)", "Rak (Swing)", "Lay Kram Goes Dixie", and "Royal Marines March" and "When".

The five other songs will be "Mopsy", "Royal Garden Blues", "Sweet Georgia Brown", "Theme" and "Panama".

His Majesty has supervised rehearsals over the past six months for tonight's concert, aside from when he was in Siriraj Hospital.

The King begun composing music when he was about 20 years old. To date he has composed the melodies and arranged the harmony of 47 songs.

Following the band's tradition, the show will end with the farewell theme of "When" ("Klai Kangwol").

The followings are impressions of the band members :

Manrat

"It's so hard to describe in words. It's the great passion - every musician plays with their heart - not as a job. First, it is our honour to play music for the King; second, His Majesty is a great musical teacher. He always improves his fellow musicians' skills with great generosity and never blames them for any mistakes."

Sandat

"I'd blow a trombone until I run out of my breath. His Majesty's songs are so beautiful and so universal. Playing with the King for the first time, I was just a student at Chulalongkorn University, I felt nervous but with his compassion I felt calm. Due to His Majesty's hard work, while playing music, I could feel him relax and that I'm very proud to serve him."

Anirut

"I feel warmth and happiness especially if His Majesty compliments me. My happiness is to see His Majesty after visiting people; despite wearing the same clothes, he always comes as promised to play music every Friday."

Non

"I was studying the 12th grade when I first became a band member. His Majesty wanted to be closer to students and wanted to support them with music and his musical skill is definitely incomparable."

The Ansvanandas brothers, Kavi, and Suvit

"His Majesty is a great and compassionate teacher. We've learnt the value of discipline and loving kindness, which we have never found from anyone else but the King. This is our greatest honour."

by Kupluthai Pungkanon

The Nation