All that jazz!

Working with jazz musicians has reshaped her approach.

"Performing with jazz musicians has given me the freedom to explore new territories," Liu says. "I never feel pressured. I focus on my part, trusting them to bring the rest to life with their improvisation. Their adaptability, their fearlessness in improvisation, is something I deeply admire.

"For us, as traditional musicians, improvisation isn't something we're trained in. But when I'm on stage with them, it feels completely natural to step into that space," she adds.

A key collaborator in this exploration is Zhu Haiming, a jazz musician known for his creative reinterpretations of traditional Chinese melodies. His jazz version of Xintianyou, a famous Chinese folk song, has become a standout example. "Zhu's jazz version of Xintianyou is a revelation," says Liu. "It's like hearing the song with new ears. The jazz elements free it up while still preserving its essence. You can feel the vastness of the northern Chinese landscape in the rhythm and the space between the notes."

For Liu, the intersection of jazz and suona isn't just an artistic endeavor; it's a way of connecting cultures. "It's not just about mixing genres. It's about creating something new while honoring the roots of both traditions. Music has the power to transcend borders, to speak a universal language." Through performances like hers, Liu is proving that the power of music lies not in tradition or innovation alone, but in the beautiful spaces where they collide.