Ethnic harmonies

When he was invited to perform at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Aug 4 and 5, Jiang took his dabiya and traveled around 3,000 kilometers to the capital by bus, train and airplane.

Along with his band, named Wood and Fire, Jiang performed six songs he adapted from folk music of the Nu ethnic group, including Tiger and Otter, Toast Song of the Nu People and The Love Song of the Nu People.

"It's definitely the peak of my music career. We had never performed at the NCPA, one of the top-level art institutions in the country, before. The four members of our band all have regular jobs and we rehearsed every night after work for the concerts," says Jiang, adding that his 6-year-old son also joined in the performances.