As a tribute to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Bangkok-based British jazz musician Stuart Hawkins has produced, arranged and released his foot-tapping rendition of Love At Sundown, the king's first song in his prolific music career.
Joining hands with a few of Thailand's top contemporary jazz artists, Hawkins' version of Love At Sundown has a New Orleans feel, where Hawkins himself plays the trumpet and flugelhorn, with Passakorn Moralsilpin on the saxophone, Korn Wongsawat on the piano, Titiwat Treepob on the bass, and Pong Nakornchai on percussion.
Available for download and streaming on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube and True Music, Deezer and Tidal, Hawkins' version is a charity single, so proceeds will go to The Water Foundation of Thailand (Utokapat Foundation) under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King.
"It's been a privilege to live in Thailand for over a decade and I join the Thai people in remembering and paying tribute to King Bhumibol Adulyadej," said Hawkins.
"Through this project and with this great band I wanted to celebrate and pay tribute to the extraordinary legacy of Thailand's beloved 'Jazz King' and 'Development King'. I would like to invite people here in Thailand and around the world to download this charity single and I hope they enjoy this rendition of Love At Sundown."
Born in Australia to British and Malaysian-Chinese parents, Hawkins became passionate about jazz as a teenager.
Moving to England for university, he was a trumpet soloist with the Oxford University Jazz Orchestra and jammed with the some of the top young jazz musicians in England.
Coming to Asia, he's played across multiple venues in Thailand and performed with leading Thai jazz musicians like Koh Saxman and acclaimed pianist Neung Jakkawal.
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