Genghis Blues

10/17/2025

Partially sighted blues musician Paul Peña has become fascinated with the ancient musical traditions of the central Asian province of Tuva. Sandwiched between Mongolia and Russia, this previously independent nation joined the USSR and is now a largely autonomous part of the Federation run from it’s only city Kyzyl. Peña and his friends have been invited to their unique “throat-singing” competition and so make their way, via Moscow, from San Francisco to learn more. What they find upon arrival is an ancient society that welcomes them and their curiosity with open arms and compared with the constrictions of his city life at home, Peña finds things here much more relaxed. He embraces their culture and is soon writing songs in their native language and making a solid fist of singing in their k