Bangkok trumpeter Stuart Hawkins releases debut album “And What If I Don’t”
A dynamic tribute to jazz greats with proceeds going to the Utokapat Foundation under the Royal Patronage of H.M. the King
Oxford-educated trumpeter Stuart Hawkins, a long-time Bangkok resident, delivers an exuberant salute to his musical heroes in his stunning debut album, “And What If I Don’t”.
Stuart assembled for this recording five of the country’s hottest jazz talents: Passakorn Moralsilpin on saxophone, Darin Pantoomkomol on piano, Kom Wongsawat on piano, Titiwat Treepob on bass and Pong Nakornchai on drums.
The album opens with a catchy, hard-grooving cover of Herbie Hancock’s composition “And What If I Don’t” with a tip of the hat in the arrangement to trumpeter Lee Morgan’s hit song “Sidewinder”. Other highlights include “Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You” dedicated to Blues Hall of Famer Jimmy Witherspoon, a rambunctious rendition of “Super Blue” dedicated to Freddie Hubbard and a beautiful treatment of “Lover Man”. The musicians were clearly having a good time in the studio and the album shines with spirited and soulful playing from the entire band. CDs are available at Boomerang stores nationwide. The album is also available for iTunes download and digital streaming HERE: https://umusicth.lnk.to/uM5YH
Proceeds go to The Water Foundation of Thailand (Utokapat Foundation) under the Royal Patronage of H.M. the King. This charitable foundation was set up in 2011 with initial endowment capital from H.M. the late King Bhumibol on the occasion of His 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary. The foundation’s vision and approach follows the late King’s initiatives on community water resource management in order to improve drought and flood resilience for Thai communities in need.
Any and all donations from the public to the Utokapat Foundation are welcome via their SCB Bank Account Number 067-216420- 6.
Born in Australia to British and Malaysian-Chinese parents, Stuart Hawkins grew up in a musical family in Hong Kong and started to play the trumpet at the age of nine. He became passionate about jazz and blues music as a teenager. After high school, Stuart moved to England where he studied Modern History at Oxford University. He was a soloist with the Oxford University Jazz Orchestra and also played in smaller groups alongside some of the top young jazz musicians in England. Stuart has lived in Thailandfor over a decade.
He has played at venues across Thailand and Asia and performed with leading music artists from across the region. In November 2017, Stuart’s jazz tribute arrangement of the Royal composition “Love at Sundown” was released as a charity single by Universal Music Thailand in remembrance of Thailand’s beloved late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Stuart Hawkins – And What If I Don’t
1. And What If I Don’t
2. Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You
3. Super Blue
4. Mo' Better Blues
5. When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)
6. Lover Man
7. Makin' Whoopee
8. And What If I Don’t (alternate version)
From left to right: Mr. Tanachai Pairojtanachai, Chief Operating Officer, Universal Music Thailand; Stuart Hawkins; Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, Chairman, Utokapat Foundation; Dr. Royol Chitradon, Director and Secretary General, Utokapat Foundation
