Karl Jenkins

Welsh multi-instrumentalist and contemporary composer (born 17 February 1944, Penclawdd , Wales). Sir Karl Jenkins is Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), Knight Bachelor, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music (FRAM), and Honorary Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (HonFSLW). He performs on baritone & soprano saxophones, oboe, and keyboards. Jenkins grew up in Penclawdd village in Gower (now part of Swansea), born to a Swedish mother and Welsh father, a chapel organist and choirmaster, who gave Karl his first music lessons. In high school, 12-year-old Jenkins began playing oboe in the National Youth Orchestra Of Wales. He got formally educated at Cardiff University, followed by postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London.