The
khöömei quartet Kunggurtug (, ) was founded in 1992 by
Kaigal-ool Khovalyg, brothers
Alexander and
Sayan Bapa, and
Albert Kuvezin. Not long afterwards, the group changed its name to Huun-Huur-Tu, meaning "sunbeams" (literally "sun propeller"). The focus of their music was traditional Tuvan folk songs, frequently featuring imagery of the Tuvan
steppe or of horses. The ensemble released its first album,
60 Horses In My Herd, the following year. The album was recorded at studios in
London and
Mill Valley, California. By the time recording began for the follow-up, Kuvezin had left the group to form the more
rock-oriented
Yat-Kha. Kuvezin was replaced by
Anatoli Kuular, who had previously worked with Khovalyg and
Kongar-ool Ondar as part of the
Tuva Ensemble. The new line-up recorded ''
The Orphan's Lament'' in
New York City and
Moscow, and released it in 1994. In 1995, Alexander Bapa, who had
produced the first two albums, departed the group to pursue production as a full-time career. He was replaced by
Alexei Saryglar, formerly a member of the
Russian state ensemble
Siberian Souvenir. A third album, ''If I'd Been Born An Eagle
, recorded in the Netherlands, followed in 1997. In early 1999, the group released its fourth album, Where Young Grass Grows''. Huun-Huur-Tu participated in the 2000
BBC Music Live event. The following year, the group released their first live album. In 2003, Kuular quit the group and was replaced by
Andrey Mongush, an experienced teacher of khöömei and Tuvan instruments. Mongush's tenure with the group was short and in 2005 he was replaced by Radik Tülüsh, formerly of
Yat-Kha fame. Huun-Huur-Tu signed with Beijing management company
Stallion Era in March 2015. ==Band members==