ISB Center Stage with DaXun Zhang and Tom Knific 

Next up on the ISB Center Stage, we welcome  DaXun Zhang and Tom Knific for a time zone-busting conversation about DaXun's life and career as an award-winning bassist on both sides of the world.

PLEASE NOTE THE SPECIAL TIME FOR THIS EVENT
7 PM Eastern Time, Saturday, April 17
7 AM China Standard Time, Sunday, April 18

DaXun Zhang comes from a family of bassists in Harbin, China. He started playing the instrument at age 9 and entered the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing at age 11. He continued his studies in the U.S. at the Interlochen Arts Academy and received his artist diploma at the Indiana University School of Music as a student of his great mentor, Lawrence Hurst. After 20 years in the U.S. as a student and on the faculties of Northwestern University and the University of Texas at Austin, DaXun returned to China to join the faculty of The Tianjin Juilliard School. He has won an Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, the La Jolla Music Society Prize, the Orchestra New England Soloist Prize, the Fergus Prize, the 2003 WAMSO Competition, the 2001 ISB Solo Competition and grand prize in the ASTA National Solo Competition. An active soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and adjudicator, DaXun was a member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Two and has performed extensively with the Silk Road Project. His recordings include Bassic Bach and Ditto, and for Deutsche Grammophon he has recorded Pressler Connection and two albums with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, New Impossibilities and Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon.

Tom Knific has performed with many of the great jazz and classical artists of our time on tour and on record, including Gene Bertoncini, Billy Hart, Randy Brecker, Dave Brubeck and Fred Hersch. As a classical artist, he has recorded with Pepe Romero, Andre Watts, Philippe Entremont and the Merling Trio. Tom is a founding member, bassist and composer for the contemporary music group, OPUS 21, and has served on the faculties of Western Michigan University, Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan State University and the Cleveland Institute of Music. He is also a visiting professor at The China Conservatory, Beijing. Tom received the 2016 Musical America Top Professional and Innovators award and DownBeat magazine’s Achievement in Jazz Education award in 2004. He has written dozens of works in a variety of idioms and is published by Editions Delatour and ISB Editions. He is heard on over 30 CDs including four solo projects. Tom is past president of the ISB and continues to serve on its board of directors.