Zhou Benxiang, 70, shows off his stunts by keeping a plate rotating on the suona while playing the instrument. [PHOTO BY JIANG DONG/CHINA DAILY]

"The music connects people with the gods and nature. It's rare nowadays.

"The musicians in the band are all blood relations.

"We have blood connections, which make the music even more special," says Zhou Benming.

The origins of the band date back to Zhou Jingzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Zhou Benming, who was born in the 1960s, is the third son of Zhou Zhengyu, a fourth-generation musician.

At the age of 4, Zhou Benming began to learn to play the music instruments with his father. At age 8, he was touring with the band to perform at weddings and funerals around Anhui province.

Zhou Benming says there were many bands like his during the 1970s and '80s, which made the market competitive. But thanks to their techniques and reputation, the Zhou outfit has always been busy.

"I remember that a tour could last for over two months because the families needed us to perform at important occasions," he says.