Kriangkrai “Platong” Santipojana

Kriangkrai “Platong” Santipojana is an accomplished Thai trumpeter, ensemble director, educator, and modern music professional with more than three decades of experience across classical music, big band jazz, pop, contemporary music, studio recording, digital content, and live production. Widely known in the Thai music industry as “Platong,” he holds a Master of Music in Music Studies, Jazz Trumpet, from Rangsit University, completed under a scholarship from Thai Beverage PCL. He also brings a rare multidisciplinary foundation to his artistic work, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Chulalongkorn University. His musical journey began at the age of 12 with the renowned Suankularb Wittayalai School Marching Band, where he developed early leadership experience as a bandleader. During his time at Chulalongkorn University, he continued this path as bandleader of the respected CU Big Band. A major early milestone came in 1996, when he performed as an opening act and joined a jam session with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra at the Jazz Legends Salute King Bhumibol Concert. In 2000, he performed with the Bangkok International Big Band as the opening act for Maynard Ferguson & Big Bop Nouveau. As a session and studio musician, Kriangkrai’s trumpet sound appears on some of Thailand’s most recognizable popular music recordings, including “Yood / Since I Met You” by Groove Riders, “Nid Nung” by Pijika, and Let’s Go to the Sea by Kai-Jo Brother. His studio and performance credits include collaborations with Groove Riders, Armchair, Penguin Villa, Stamp Apiwat, and Fong Naam, the pioneering contemporary Thai-classical ensemble led by Bruce Gaston. Internationally, he performed as a trumpet soloist with the Milal Missionary Choir at Carnegie Hall, New York, in 2009. Beyond performance, Kriangkrai has embraced the evolution of the music industry through digital media and production. He co-founded the popular YouTube music channels iHearBand and Plajazz, creating innovative online music content. In recent years, he has also specialized in modern live and virtual production management, collaborating with Ideal8 Co., Ltd. for online concert broadcasts since 2021 and with LongKhaek Production since 2025. As an educator, Master Platong bridges deep commercial industry experience with academic training. His teaching in Jazz Improvisation emphasizes universal harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic principles that can be applied across instruments, while using trumpet as a master demonstration tool. His background in band leadership, studio work, and professional performance makes him especially suited to directing ensembles and developing students into stage-ready, industry-aware musicians.

Trumpet · Jazz Improvisation · Ensemble Direction · Live Production

- Master of Music, Music Studies — Jazz Trumpet, Rangsit University - Scholarship Recipient, Thai Beverage PCL - Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Chulalongkorn University - Former Bandleader, Suankularb Wittayalai School Marching Band - Former Bandleader, CU Big Band - Opening Act / Jam Session with Count Basie Orchestra, 1996 - Performed with Bangkok International Big Band for Maynard Ferguson & Big Bop Nouveau, 2000 - Trumpet Soloist, Milal Missionary Choir, Carnegie Hall, New York, 2009 - Co-founder of iHearBand and Plajazz - Professional session musician, educator, ensemble director, and live production specialist

Recorded trumpet tracks for “Yood / Since I Met You” by Groove Riders, one of Thai pop’s most recognizable songs. Performed with leading Thai and international music figures, including the Count Basie Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson & Big Bop Nouveau, Groove Riders, Stamp Apiwat, Armchair, Penguin Villa, and Fong Naam. Represents a rare profile combining jazz performance, engineering discipline, studio musicianship, ensemble leadership, digital media creation, and modern live production. Brings real-world industry knowledge into the classroom, preparing students not only to play well, but to rehearse, perform, collaborate, record, and present themselves professionally.