composer/guzheng performer/vocalist, a native Beijinger circling in Beijing-NYC-EU. a soccer fan w/ an awesome siamese cat
Born and raised in Beijing, Wu Fei is a virtuoso composer, vocalist and
guzheng (Chinese zither) performer. She spent her formative years at
the China Conservatory of Music before coming to the US in 2000.
She holds a M.A. in Composition from Mills College and is a grant
recipient of “Meet the Composer”. While at Mills, she began to
diversify her sound and experiment widely, working with musicians
like John Zorn, Fred Frith, Carla Kilhstedt, Bla Fleck, Pauline Oliveros,
and Cecil Taylor.
Wu Fei's compositions for choir, string quartet, chamber ensemble,
Balinese gamelan, orchestra, film, and modern dance exhibit her
remarkable skill and profound musical understanding. Her
commissions include a composition for Percussions Claviers de Lyon
that premiered in the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing.
She has also appeared as a guest on Fred Frith's Eye to Ear II (2004,
Tzadik) and The Happy End Problem (2006, ReR). Wu Fei has
performed in cities around the world, including Beijing, Berlin, Rome,
Venice, Milano, Dublin, Oslo, Rotterdam, New York and San Francisco.
Her debut album, A Distant Youth (2007, Forrest Hill), features both
Frith and violinist Carla Kihlstedt. In fall 2008, her second album Yuan
was released on Tzadik Records. In 2009, after performing in various
prestigious music festivals in Norway, Netherlands, and Belgium, Wu
Fei met with experimental jazz legend Evan Parker in New York City
and presented a duo concert at The Stone. Later in that year, a DVD
entitled “Shan Qi” was released (Ozella Music), filmed in the Italian
Alps and highlighting the young artist and several outstanding
European musicians, including Guo Yue, Giovanni Amighetti
(producer), Guido Ponzini, and Helge A. Norbakken. “Shan Qi” is
nominated for “Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik” (German
Record Critique Award 2009).
In 2010, Wu Fei will be giving performances and lectures in the U.S.,
Europe, Oceania, Asia and Africa.
