Few artists have done more to both honor and reinvent the 2000-year history of the pipa than soloist, vocalist and composer Min Xiao-Fen. Classically trained in her native China, she served as a principal pipa soloist at Nanjing Traditional Music Orchestra and 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.

NPR Weekend Edition lauded Ms. Min as “one of the world’s greatest virtuosos” and JazzTimes hailed her as “a pioneer in integrating her ancient instrument with modern jazz and improvised music.” The New York Times raved that her singular work “has traversed a sweeping musical odyssey.”

River Guerguerian has been inspiring audiences with his ecstatic and versatile percussion for over 35 years. Born in Montreal to Armenian-Egyptian-Syrian parents, River began his cross-cultural musical journey at an early age. He graduated from The Manhattan School of Music Conservatory in 1989 with the school’s award for Most Outstanding Percussionist.

River plays across a remarkable span of musical genres and traditions, both obscure and mainstream, delivering a personal and masterful sound with Old World instruments originating from the Middle East, India, and Africa.

Together, River and Min bring a unique cross-cultural expression and artistic vision to the stage. This event is a treat for cinephiles and music aficionados alike. Following “White Lotus,” Min’s acclaimed score for the 1934 classic Chinese silent film “The Goddess,” she received a commission from the Smithsonian Institution in 2023 to compose new original soundtracks for “Romance of the Fruit Peddler” and “Romance of the Western Chamber,” two historical Chinese silent films from the 1920s. Both films will be shown during the performance with River and Min providing the musical presentation of these classic works.