About this Event
Ian Maksin in Kalamazoo "Songs of the Vagabond Cello"
February 7, 2026, 7 PM
First United Methodist Church, 212 S Park St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Immerse yourself in the soulful and soothing vibrations of the cello with world-acclaimed cellist, composer, and multilingual vocalist Ian Maksin who sings in 43 languages.
Internet special tickets:
$35 (taxes and fees included) - general admission 3rd row and back.
$30 (taxes and fees included) - general admission 3 or more special.
$45 (taxes and fees included) - 1s & 2nd rows reserved.
Seating is first come first served within your reserved area.
Recommended age: 12+
In this amazing musical voyage across time and space, Maksin will take you across the Sahara deserts and Mongolian steppes, the mountains of the Balkans and the Caucasus, and the shores of the Pacific Ocean and Mediterranean Sea alike. He magically connects some of the most diverse elements of world music into a unique fusion, using his cello as the unifying force. Using loop pedal and other electronics, he augments the sound of his instrument into an entire cello orchestra creating a one-of-a-kind listening experience. Besides performing his original instrumental music, Ian Maksin currently has over 300 songs in 43 languages in his musical collection including French, Italian, Farsi, Bosnian, Turkish, Kurmanji, Arabic, Ukrainian, Yiddish, Ladino, Spanish, Catalan, Greek, Georgian, Armenian, Hindi, Nepali, and many others.
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:In addition to cello, he used an electronic device called the loop pedal, which allows him to create "loops" or layers by recording and replaying his own playing in real time.
SINGING IN 43 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 43 languages including Ukrainian, Russian, 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: Ian Maksin was born in Leningrad, USSR into a multinational family and 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. Music is one of most powerful and unifying forces in the world, capable of healing, inspiring, bringing people together and bringing peace among them. I believe that cello will save the world”
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, 212 South Park Street, Kalamazoo, United States
USD 30.00 to USD 45.00
