BYFIELD — Virtuoso cellist, composer and multilingual vocalist Ian Maksin will perform Saturday, June 14, from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Byfield Community Arts Center, 7 Central St.
His music is influenced by multiple cultures, including French, Italian, Farsi, Turkish, Armenian, Kurmanji, Arabic, Hebrew, Ukrainian, Russian and Spanish.
Maksin was born in the former 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.
At age 16, he immigrated to the United States where he continued his studies at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. His musical journey took him to Miami where he performed with the New World Symphony. After a three-year tenure, Maksin left the symphony to forge his own artist’s identity.
Melding his passion for jazz and world music with his skill as a rock and blues guitarist led Maksin to create his artistic style. His cello playing is augmented by a loop pedal and electronics for a lush, orchestral effect, accompanied by haunting, ethereal vocals.
The songs Maksin writes are inspired by music of Central Asia, the Middle East and West Africa. He also sings traditional songs from more than 50 countries in 37 languages, including Turkish, Arabic, Hebrew, Armenian, Georgian, Ukrainian, Polish, Farsi, Mongolian, French, Italian and English.
Tickets for “Ian Maksin: Songs of the Vagabond Cello” can be reserved online at byfieldcac.org, by emailing info@byfieldcac.org, or by calling 978-255-2359. Ticket prices begin at $26 for general admission.
Beer, wine, selected cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.