Guitar and banjo instrumentalist Sweeney is a master of unpretentiousness. – Boston Globe Sweeney creates a cozy, loving atmosphere by tempering his instrumental virtuosity with a welcome dose of modesty. – Boston Herald Our introduction to one another was short and to the point: “Yang Wei, this is Ed. He plays banjo. Ed, this is Yang Wei. He plays pipa. You two should talk.” It was 2006 in Chicago, and talk we did ¬– that night throughout dinner and for hours the following day. A few months later in Rhode Island, we picked up where we left off. This time, dinner was at my home, where we swapped stories and songs and discovered how much we enjoy one another’s music, musicianship and company. The following spring we presented our first concert together. Inspired by that collaboration, we headed into the recording studio to capture a few ideas. Ensuring concerts and studio sessions expanded our initial concepts into this recording – a potpourri of traditional music from China, the United States, Russia, Ireland, traditional hymns and Gregorian chant. We try to get together as much as our schedules and geography allow. What lies ahead? We are not sure, but whatever it is, it will include friendship, music, and stories. We enjoyed sharing our musical adventure with a few friends who joined us on this recording. We hope you will become part of our adventure, too. “until I experienced Yang Wei with the Folger Consort's "Harmony of Friends" concert, I had no real understanding of the pipa's virtuosity.” Karren LaLonde Alenier Scene4 Yang Wei has been celebrated worldwide, performing for and inspiring audiences throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States. His musical education began at the age of 6, and by age 18 he performed as a soloist with the National Shanghai Orchestra. In 1989 Yang Wei received the ART Trophy First Prize for the International Chinese Musical Instruments Competition in the Young Professional Pipa Section. In 1996, he moved permanently to the United States, making his home in the Chicago area. Since 2000, he has toured with the acclaimed Silk Road Ensemble performing alongside world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In addition to performing as a soloist with orchestras and ensembles around the world, Yang Wei lectures, teaches and participates in educational programs. He has served as Artist-in-Residence for the Art Institute of Chicago, received a Fellowship in Ethnic and Folk Arts from the Illinois Arts Council, and was a resident artist at the Humanity Institute of the University of Michigan. Yang Wei's artistic perspective honors the musical heritage of his homeland in China, but also combines the Western influences of his new home. He is committed to sharing his music with the community around him and continues to be interested in exploring the possibilities created by blending his eastern instrument with Western influences and themes.