WOMAD

Wang Li

From China (Peoples Republic)

Wang Li originates from Tsinghao, a harbour on the banks of the Yellow Sea, in North East China. Raised in the strict background of a residential complex of the Chinese People's Liberation army, he followed a higher education while playing string bass in bands influenced by occidental music.
Having completed his studies, he chose to go to France where he found shelter with the seminarist Fathers in St Sulpice at Issy-Les-Moulineaux. He shared their austere life for nearly four years, eventually finding his own path and, consequently, the blooming of his poetic personality. There, he also learnt what patience and silence are worth. Wang Li went onto study jazz at the Paris Conservatory.
Although he is fascinated by the modern improvisational techniques of musicians like Bernard Lubat, he knows his real expression depends on the acceptance of his origins, and draws his inspiration from silence.
Thanks to the free use of a chapel, he soon mastered the jew's harp he brought back from his country, producing splendid sounds. He discovered the infinite nuances a breath can make, as well as a certain position of the tongue or sounds from the throat. In China, he traveled all over the mountains to find the few musicians who play the Jew's harp and began to collect the instruments.
After self-producing his first album in 2005, Wang Li now released a new album with a French label, Cinq Planètes /L'Autre distribution.

Watch Wang Li here