Artist Profiles: Nawang Khechog

Nawang Khechog

Born in Tibet, Nawang Khechog spent his earliest years as the child of nomads. In his boyhood he first learned to play the bamboo flute, an ancient instrument popular in rural villages throughout Tibet. After the subjugation of Tibet by Chinese Communists in 1949 Nawang and his family escaped to India. There he studied meditation and Buddhist philosophy a path he followed as a monk for eleven years – four of them as a hermit.

In 1986 he emigrated to Australia where he first performed and his recordings achieved bestseller status. Nawang is best known for his collaborations with Japanese composer and multi-instrumentalist Kitaro, including a world tour and performances on Kitaro’s acclaimed Enchanted Evening and Mandala albums. His live performances with Philip Glass Paul Winter, Laurie Anderson, Paul Simon, Natalie Merchant, and Baba Olatunji have received international acclaim.

In 2003 he released Universal Love, his first major recording project in five years. The album features Tibetan flute on all songs; Tibetan long horn (doongchen) and overtone chanting; universal horn (invented by Nawang Khechog); Aboriginal didjeridu; African drums and kalimba; Mayan ocarinas; Native American drum; and chants of universal love by the Dalai Lama and others.

Nawang Khechog

In February of 2007 Nawang Khechog was seriously injured in a car accident while in India. He recovered and currently lives in Colorado, USA.

Discography:

Sounds Of Peace (Sounds True, 1988)
Rhythms Of Peace (Music Tibet, 1989)
Quiet Mind (Sounds True, 1991)
Karuna (Domo, 1995)
Winds Of Devotion, with R. Carlos Nakai (EarthSea Records, 1998)
The Dance Of Innocents, with Peter Kater (EarthSea Records, 1998)
Universal Love ‎(Sounds True, 2003)
Music As Medicine, with R. Carlos Nakai ‎(Sounds True, 2004)
Tibetan Meditation Music – For Quiet Mind And Peaceful Heart ‎(Sounds True, 2007)
Tibetan Dream Journey ‎(Sounds True, 2011)

Author: Angel Romero

Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.

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