Broken Wing in E minor String Quartet

The story of Tokyo and the concept behind the Broken Wing Music Collection

BROKEN WING IN Em - String Quartet

In 1979, my Father rescued a Sandhill Crane at the dikes in Prince George, BC. The giant bird was shot by a hunter who mistaken it for a grouse. It’s wing was broken and it was clear it would never fly again. For more than two months, my Father cared for him, and in that time they formed an unlikely friendship. He named the bird Tokyo.

Tokyo was curious, personable, and humorous—he was so friendly that he accompanied my father on errands, including memorable trips through drive-thrus for fish burgers. Eventually, my father arranged for Tokyo’s transfer to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, BC. The two of them took one last journey together—by helicopter—to Vancouver. There, Tokyo was released, and he quickly found a lifelong companion among the sanctuary’s cranes. The two birds became inseparable.

Years later, my father was given a woodcut painting of a majestic Sandhill Crane. The artist R.H. Johnson, depicted two Sandhill Cranes; one standing tall in the foreground with a playful pose, looking at the viewer, the other, a little more cautious standing behind in the reeds. The playful bird reminded him of his dear friend, Tokyo. He enjoyed the painting so much that he reached out to the artist to compliment him on his work. In their conversation, RH. Johnson replied: “I remember that bird well. I painted him at the George C. Reifel Sanctuary in Delta, BC. He came from Prince George by helicopter. He walked right up to me, said hello, and posed for my canvas. He was the friendliest of birds.”

Broken Wing in Em depicts the journey of Tokyo from Tokyo’s perspective. It was debuted as the "prelude" for a twenty-one song concept album called Broken Wing. Today, the portrait of Tokyo hangs above my desk at Sandhill Studios, a daily reminder of his story.