Born to a family of Tibetan nomads, Tenzin Choegyal was forced into exile as a child to Dharamsala in northern India. 

There he trained in music, becoming an outstanding vocalist and master of the three-string dranyen lute and the lingbu bamboo flute.

As a child, Tenzin would listen to his mother singing in the nomadic style of Tibet, and he attributes much of his passion for that genre to her early influence.

Today, Tenzin is considered one of the world’s finest musicians in the Tibetan nomadic tradition and his nomad songs or ‘droklu’ still form a central part of his musical repertoire.

Now based in Brisbane, Tenzin has played at prestigious events including WOMAD festivals, and several Concerts for Tibet at Carnegie Hall, New York alongside musical greats including Philip Glass and Patti Smith.

“I really enjoyed playing Wauchope last time and it will be nice to catch up with my friends,” he said.

“It will be ‘world music’, although music is music.  It will be a combination of Indian classical and Tibetan music.  

“Taro Terahara is a great musician and he’s coming from Japan and I wanted his musical expression to be experienced by my friends down in Wauchope as well,” he said. 

Tenzin made his first appearance at Woodford Folk Festival in 1997, and still plays to packed audiences each year. He also organises The Festival of Tibet each year at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

In addition to his solo performances, Tenzin has been an avid collaborator with musicians from diverse cultures and genres.

He recently worked with Philip Glass on the breathtaking score for the film 'The Last Dalai Lama?' which features Tenzin’s soaring vocals, circling rhythms and uplifting crescendos, and toured Japan with Taro Terahara.

Described by veteran Australian journalist Simon Reeve as “one of the planet's great human beings”, the Wauchope Arts team is thrilled to welcome back Tenzin Choegyal, who will perform with bansuri master Taro Terahara and Australia's leading tabla player Shen Flindell.

Tenzin Choegyal, Taro Terahara and Shen Flindell are on at 8pm Saturday September 16 in Wauchope Community Arts Hall, Oxley Lane (opposite Bain Park).

Tickets are available online at www.trybooking.com/305327 plus a small quantity at the door from 7.30pm, $25; $20 for members.  

This performance is likely to be a sell-out.

The reviewers have heaped praise on Tenzin.

“Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal delivered the night’s most revelatory music, playing Himalayan blues and power ballads on the dranyen lute backed by Patti Smith’s band and Laurie Anderson.” Rolling Stone Magazine

“Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal was equally impressive, as much for his infectious smile as for his powerful and wonderful voice.” Billboard Magazine

If you want to find out more, go to the website is www.tenzinchoegyal.com