Techung & The Wind Horses

Techung Techung studied Tibetan folk music and arts for 17 years in Dharamshala (India) at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA). Also known as Tashi Dhondup Sharzur, he uses his childhood nickname "Techung" which has been adopted for the band. Techung’s main instrument is his voice; he also plays long neck Tibetan lute (Dramnyen), Tibetan fiddle (Piwang) and bamboo flute (Lingbu). After immigrating to the USA in 1989, Techung co-founded Chaksampa Tibetan Dance and Opera Company, performing traditional Tibetan opera throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. In addition to being a major force in the preservation of traditional Tibetan vocal and instrumental traditions, Techung draws on both his heritage and other musical traditions. His music can be heard on 16 solo and collaborative albums, as well as the soundtrack of numerous films. For more information on Jhola Techung, please visit: http://www.techung.com Michel Tyabji Michel Tyabji is a composer, performer, producer, arranger and recording engineer. Born in India and educated in England and the United States, he has worked with a growing number of musicians from America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East whose work is gaining the appreciation of discerning listeners around the world. He is the co-creator of Hollywood based Limitless Sky Records, through which he continues to release albums of critical acclaim (including 3 on the list of GRAMMY nominations). His great aunt was amongst Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite singers, his grandmother sang alongside Lata Mangeshkar, several cousins are among India's most well known film stars and both his parents made their livings in media. His father’s job required the family move to a different country every few years and six years were spent in Thimphu, Bhutan. That is where Michel picked up his love and feeling for Himalayan sights and sounds. "Music has always been central to our family. I was taught by relatives and gurus from an early age that music is a kind of liberation". For more information on Michel, please visit: http://www.micheltyabji.com Kito Rodriguez Ralph “Kito” Rodriguez is a New York City native bass guitarist & multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, band leader, audio engineer and music producer currently based in Los Angeles, California. "Kito" trained at Johnny Colon’s East Harlem Music School, studied bass guitar privately with Classical Guitarist Rob McDonald and attended Nassau Community College’s double bass program. He is a graduate of the Institute Of Audio Research's Audio-Engineering and Music Production program (where he met Michel Tyabji). Since the 1990's Kito has performed as a bass guitarist/ producer/ audio engineer and band leader for salsa, funk, reggae, soul and world music ensembles as well as sideman for various independent artists. For more info or to contact please visit: www.kitorodriguez.com Rinzing Wangyal Rinzing Wangyal was born in Darjeeling, India and attended Melody Academy studying guitar. He performed with various rock bands throughout the 1970’s and moved to New York City in the late 80’s. He performed with reggae bands in local clubs. His diverse musical interests include Eastern and Western Classical music, blues, funk, electronic and jazz. Rinzing has performed with accomplished musicians including Phiroj Shyangden of 1974D, Raju Lama of Mongolian Heart, Tsering Paljor/Tenzing of Rangzen Shonu (a prominent Tibetan band in the 80’s) and Shenpenn Khymsar/Tsering Purtag). He currently tours with Techung and assists in the development of young talent in New York. Sherep Wangmo Sherep Wangmo is a Tibetan singer and an opera star. She studied at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA), India. After moving to the United States in 1997, she has performed all around the United States with the Chaksampa Tibetan Dance and Opera Company and shared the stage with the Beastie Boys, REM and Philip Glass, to name a few. She had toured internationally as the leading star with the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts and later as a solo artist. She has collaborated on several albums. Techung & The Wind Horses creates a unique, international sound rooted in Tibetan folk culture w/ echoes of Indian, African and American musical traditions