GRAMMY Award winning American Roots artists Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer join with Chinese classical hammered dulcimer virtuoso Chao Tian in a show that combines music from China to Appalachia and beyond. Instrumentation includes yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer), gourd banjo, five-string banjo, ukulele, guitars, dumbek, cello-banjo and mandolin. The group’s repertoire spans traditional Chinese and Appalachian music as well as contemporary and traditional music from around the world. Unusual combinations explore new arrangements to old music, such as “Dark Eyes.” Ukulele, yangqin and guitar create a new pallet for this Russian folk song turned jazz manouche tune. Cathy and Marcy join Chao in singing a Chinese lullaby, “Nani Wan” and Chao easily adds her love of American Old-Time music to fiddle tunes and songs. Their album, FROM CHINA TO APPALACHIA, resonated with a new audience via a viral TikTok and their interview on NPR’s Morning Edition. BEST GLOBAL/ROOTS ARTISTS in 2024 by the Washington Area Music Association. The band’s chemistry was electrifying and their love for what they do was palpable. Audiences were transfixed and transformed by these creative and talented women; it truly felt like being in the presence of magic.” Lauren Ellis- Piedmont Arts
