Melody of China

Yoshi's Oakland presents Melody of China (MoC), San Francisco's premiere Chinese chamber ensemble. The ensemble specializes in traditional instruments including: yangqin, guzheng, sheng, pipa, dizi and erhu.

Melody of China (MoC) is San Francisco’s premiere Chinese chamber ensemble. The ensemble specializes in traditional instruments including: yangqin, guzheng, sheng, pipa, dizi and erhu. Described as "Innovative and Dazzling" by the San Francisco Chronicle, Melody of China performances have broken barriers in combining traditional Chinese music with contemporary styles including jazz. MoC has performed at numerous Bay Area schools and venues including Davies Hall, Herbst Theatre, Old First Church and others. The ensemble has been guest artists with the Berlin Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony. MoC has also performed at New York’s Lincoln Center and has in major U.S. cities (including the Chicago World Music Festival, the National Folk Festival, the Lotus Festival and the Chicago Jazz Festival). MoC has performed with several jazz ensembles including Anthony Brown’s Asian-American Jazz Orchestra. In 2010, MoC collaborated with saxophonist/composer Francis Wong to premiere Shanghai Story for Chinese instruments and jazz quartet. In 2013, MoC celebrated their 20th Anniversary with a concert featuring previous commissions and a jazz performance with pianist/composer Jon Jang along with Marcus Shelby, Deszon Claiborne and Francis Wong.

This commission has been made possible by the Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Program, with generous funding provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Chamber Music America Endowment Fund.

Melody of China musicians:
Yangqin Zhao - yangqin(hammer dulcimer)
Gangqin Zhao - guzheng(table harp)
Shenshen Zhang - pipa(lute)
Xian Lu - dizi(flute)
Wanpeng Guo - sheng(mouth organ)

Guest musicians:
Yuanlin Chen - New York composer, world premiere of his "Coexistent Beauty"
Jon Jang - piano
Francis Wong - saxophone
Marcus Shelby - bass
Deszon Claiborne - drum
Peter Josheff - clarinets
Dan Flanagan - violin
Kevin Yu - cello
Eric Myers - Keyboard

Purchase tickets here.