Chinese artist to rediscover U.S.-China musical bond at New York concert

A Chinese artist will introduce a special fusion of Eastern and Western melodies next week at a New York concert, highlighting a reinterpretation of legendary works by famed U.S. and Chinese musicians in the 1930s.

On March 15, Chinese pipa virtuoso Min Xiaofen, other two members of her Blue Pipa Trio, guitar player Steve Salerno and Dean Johnson with bass, will perform Min's thrilling project "From Harlem to Shanghai and back" at the Jazz Loft. Thomas J. Manuel, music director of the Jazz Loft will attend as a special guest.

Launched in 2013, the project features a unique combination of legendary U.S. trumpeter Buck Clayton's jazz style and renowned Chinese composer Li Jinhui's works as well as Min's new compositions.

In the mid-1930s, U.S. jazz trumpeter and composer Clayton came to east China's Shanghai and worked closely with Li, who was dubbed as "Father of Chinese popular music." Their joint efforts bridged the gap between American jazz and traditional Chinese music and helped usher in a new era of "Chinese jazz."

The project is expected to charm the audience with a synthesis of eastern and western cultures by reinvigorating the U.S.-China musical bond, said Min.

Classically trained in her native China, Min was an in-demand interpreter of traditional music before relocating to the United States and forging a new path for her instrument alongside many of the leading lights in modern jazz, free improvisation, experimental and contemporary classical music.

The Village Voice has lauded her as an artist who "has taken her ancient Chinese string instrument into the future," while the New York Times has raved that her singular work "has traversed a sweeping musical odyssey."

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)