Photo via last.fm. Mr. Ondar was a superstar in Tuva. He’s often known for his prominent role in the 1999 documentary “Genghis Blues” about throat singing. He collaborated with Frank Zappa, Willie Nelson, Bela Fleck, among many others.

Whenever you first heard his music, you can probably remember who introduced you, or where you were. It does not sound like any other natural sound, musical or otherwise.  Sometimes it does not sound natural. The interview we link to below is the finest he ever gave (that we know of) because Ralph Leighton lucidly and intelligently explains his own experience working with and producing an album for Mr. Ondar, whose music will live on:

The technique known as throat singing is an ancient style still practiced in Tuva, a small republic between Siberia and Mongolia’s Gobi desert. Traditionally, it was practiced by herders.

In 1995, Kongar-Ol Ondar won a U.N.-sponsored international festival of throat stinging, and was honored by his nation with the title People’s Throat Singer of Tuva. He performed around the world and collaborated with Ry Cooder, The Chieftains, Mickey Hart, Willie Nelson, Randy Scruggs and others. He was also featured in the 1999 film Genghis Blues...

In 1999, Ondar demonstrated his singing for Fresh Air host Terry Gross. Because he didn’t speak English, Back Tuva Future co-producer Ralph Leighton joined Ondar in the studio to translate.

Of particular interest is exactly at the sixth minute of the interview when Mr. Leighton explains the music that Mr. Ondar sang to native American singer songwriter Bill Miller, and the understanding of the relationship between Tuvans and native Americans. The music that follows the explanation sounds like a language linking worlds that somehow belong together. Click the image below to go to the interview.

Kongar-Ol Ondar at the 72nd Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Genghis Blues was nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary Short. Scott Nelson/Getty Images