IAN MAKSIN: CELLO FOR PEACE

World acclaimed cellist, composer, and multilingual vocalist, Ian Maksin, returns to Fort Myers for a concert to support peace in Ukraine. Ian will sing in Ukrainian, Polish, French, Italian, Yiddish, Armenian, Farsi, and several other languages (he is fluent in 30 languages) and will also share original instrumental music from his latest release The Alchemist, as well as some brand new compositions that haven’t been recorded yet.

Breaking Boundaries both musical and geographical, Maksin has created and developed his own unique sound by blending elements of different styles in a new way using his cello as the main unifying force. He sings in more than 30 languages and is equally brilliant in every genre in its pure form, from classical to jazz and blues, and from Latin to Balkan and Middle Eastern music.

All of the proceeds from this concert will be directed to humanitarian relief in Ukraine via For Wellbeing, a Chicago-based non-profit organization that works directly with volunteers in Ukraine  (forwellbeing.org)

This concert is sponsored by, and made possible in part, by support from Lifeway Foods (lifewaykefir.com), Acutia (acutia.com) and the Gulf Coast Symphony.

ONE-MAN ORCHESTRA: Ian Maksin is breaking geographic boundaries by blending many genres and styles using the cello as the main common denominator. 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 nearly 30 languages including 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.

THE GLOBAL MUSICIAN: Ian Maksin was born in Leningrad, 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. In Ian’s own words: “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.”