BREAKING BOUNDARIES both musical and geographical, cellist, composer and multilingual vocalist IAN MAKSIN has created his own unique style by blending elements of different genres and traditional music from around the globe in a new way using his cello as the main unifying force.


ONE-MAN ORCHESTRA: he uses the loop pedal and other electronic devices to augment the sound of the cello and turn it into a virtual orchestra.


SINGING IN 30 LANGUAGES: What began as a hobby and a passion for linguistics and travel, has become part of a unique concert experience. At this time Ian Maksin sings in Ukrainian, Polish, English, Farsi, Armenian, French, Italian, Arabic, Hebrew, Mongolian, Bambara (one of the tongues spoken in West Africa) and many other exotic languages. Most of this repertoire was amassed by Maksin during his world travels, jam sessions and collaborations with local musicians. Many of his original songs and instrumental compositions are also infused with flavors of ethnic music from countries and regions where he drew inspiration from: Mongolia, West Africa, Middle East, the Balkans, Andalusian flamenco.


THE GLOBAL MUSICIAN: Born in the former USSR into a multinational family, Ian 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 and then came to the USA at 16 to continue studies at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. After working for many years in the classical genre including a three-year tenure with the New World Symphony in Miami, Ian has decided to look for his own musical path. His diverse musical experience, including playing rock and blues guitar and passion for jazz and world music has allowed him to take the cello to a new dimension and develop his own distinct style as a musician and composer. In Ian’s own words: “At some point I realized that music is much more than mere entertainment. Instead, it is one of the most powerful forces in the world, capable of healing, inspiring, bringing people together and bringing peace among them. I believe that cello will save the world”

Introducing AMOR RENATUS (Rebirth of Love), a new album release concert tour from the acclaimed cellist and composer, Ian Maksin, who has been known for his unique way of pushing the boundaries of cello and contemporary music. This album unveils a collection of original instrumental compositions for cello, powerfully augmented into a virtual orchestra through the use of loop pedal, and further expanded by the sound of diverse percussion instruments ranging from trance-inducing grooves of the West African djembe to deep, heart-beat-like sound of the Mongolian frame drum.

Reflecting on the tragic ongoing events in Ukraine, the album delves deep into the darkest recesses of the human soul, unearthing a myriad of feelings universal to all wars: grief, anger, anguish, and indignation… As the journey continues, the music guides the listener through a path to redemption and a spiritual transformation, allowing to ultimately find peace, comfort, healing, and empowerment. Drawing musical inspiration from diverse sources from J.S. Bach and Mozart to Astor Piazzolla and Balkan jazz, Maksin has taken his eclectic and quite distinct musical style to yet a new dimension.

Apart from performing the entire new album, in the second half of the concert, Ian Maksin and members of his international Zaria band will perform other original instrumental compositions as well as traditional songs from Maksin’s collection of over 200 songs in 31 languages.

A portion of the proceeds from the concert tour and album sales will be directed to For Wellbeing, a not-for-profit organization providing humanitarian relief in the areas of Ukraine most affected by war.