Liu Qi-Chao

(Chinese wind, string, and percussion instruments)

Liu Qi-Chao is a composer and master performer on several Chinese wind, string, and percussion instruments. He was born in Shandong China, and is one of the most innovative and most sought after Chinese artists living the the West. In his three decade career, Liu has distinguished himself as a scholar, virtuoso performer, composer, teacher, and band leader. As an instrumentalist alone, he performs on the wind instruments – di zi, suo na, sheng, ba wu, ocarina, and xiao: on the stringed instruments – hu qun, gu zheng, and san xian; and on a whole array of Chinese percussion including drums, cymbals, gongs, wood blocks, etc. Liu studied traditional Chinese and Western music at the prestigious Shanghai Conservatory. Afterward, he served as resident composer for the renowned Beijing Oriental Song and Dance Ensemble for five years, during which he also authored several books on Chinese music.

Liu has worked with the Kronos Quartet, opened for the San Francisco Symphony and the Grateful Dead, and has performed for three PBS specials. Liu has amazed the ears of jazz audiences around the world through his collaboration with Chinese American jazz pianist/composer Jon Jang and the Pan Asian Arkestra and African Chinese Sextet featuring flautist James Newton. Liu also leads his own ensemble, Chi Music, which often includes members of the group Ancient Future.

Featured Sound Files

Forest Frolic (Montfort. 4:29) iTunes. >YTmusic. Ancient Future composition featuring Liu Qi-Chao on Chinese flute. Planet Passion. (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2010). CD/Gift Card, $17.98: Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.

Partial Discography

With Ancient Future:

• Planet Passion. (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2010)