Ian Maksin
GENRE: Classical, Pop, World Music
We’re proud to welcome back cellist, composer and multilingual vocalist IAN MAKSIN to the Copernicus Center. Ian will perform his original music including the new single in Ukrainian, “Rain Again” (Знов Дощi), as well as some of his favorite Polish and Ukrainian songs. Enjoy his magical music in the theater during the Taste of Polonia Festival 2022 on both Sunday and Monday.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES both musical and geographical, IAN MAKSIN has created his own unique style by blending elements of different genres and traditional music from around the globe in a new way using his cello as the main unifying force.
ONE-MAN ORCHESTRA: In addition to cello, he used an electronic device called the loop pedal, which allows him to create “loops” or layers by recording and replaying his own playing in real time.
SINGING IN 30 LANGUAGES: What began as a hobby and a passion for linguistics and travel has become part of a unique concert experience. At this time Ian Maksin sings in Ukrainian, Polish, Russian, English, Farsi, Armenian, French, Italian, Arabic, Hebrew, Mongolian, Bambara (one of the tongues spoken in West Africa) and many other exotic languages. Most of this repertoire was amassed by Maksin during his world travels, jam sessions and collaborations with local musicians. Many of his original songs and instrumental compositions are also infused with flavors of ethnic music from countries and regions where he drew inspiration from: Mongolia, West Africa, Middle East, the Balkans, Andalusian flamenco.
“At some point I realized that music is much more than mere entertainment. Music is one of most powerful and unifying forces in the world, capable of healing, inspiring, bringing people together and bringing peace among them. I believe that cello will save the world.” … Ian Maksin
THE GLOBAL MUSICIAN: Ian Maksin was born in Leningrad, former USSR, into a multinational family and grew up absorbing many cultures and traditions from an early age. He began playing guitar and piano at age 3 and cello at age 6 at the School for Gifted Children in Leningrad and then came to the USA at 16 to continue studies at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. After working for many years in the classical genre including a three-year tenure with the New World Symphony in Miami Ian has decided to look for his own musical path. His diverse musical experience, including playing rock and blues guitar and passion for jazz and world music has allowed him to take the cello to a new dimension and develop his own distinct style as a musician and composer. [Source: Ian Maksin website]
Ian is currently performing a concert tour in the USA & Canada to support humanitarian relief in Ukraine. See tour dates at THIS LINK. Ian also generously allows his music to be downloaded FREE, but requests a donation to be made to a nonprofit supporting Ukraine.
