Ian Maskin: cellist, composer & multilingual vocalist

Direct ticket link: www.ticketstorm.com/event/ianmaksincelloworldmusic/palindromeporttownsendeventcenter/porttownsend/31644/

Presented by Rainshadow Concerts, cellist, composer and multilingual vocalist Ian Maskin brings his creative concert experience to the Palindrome on Sunday, August 17 at 5pm; 4:30 doors.

Breaking both musical and geographical boundaries, Maskin 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 unifying force.

A one-man orchestra, Ian Maskin uses a loop pedal and other electronic devices to augment the sound of the cello and turn it into a virtual symphony. He also sings in 30 languages, and what began as a hobby and a passion for linguistics and travel has become core to his unique concert experience. At this time Ian Maksin sings in Ukrainian, Polish, 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.

A global musician, Ia was born in the former USSR into a multinational family, and he 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. In Ian’s own words:

“At some point I realized that music is much more than mere entertainment. Instead, it is one of the most powerful forces in the world, capable of healing, inspiring, bringing people together and bringing peace among them. I believe that cello will save the world”