FirstWorks presents American Railroad: Silkroad Ensemble featuring Wu Man  at The VETS

Experience Silkroad’s acclaimed American Railroad program — now reimagined with an intimate, powerhouse ensemble of eight world-class musicians led by the internationally acclaimed pipa master, Wu Man. This compelling program presents a sonic tapestry of the past, evoking the powerful and often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous and African Americans, as well as Chinese, Irish, Japanese, and other immigrant communities who laid the tracks for the transcontinental railroad that transformed a nation.

The program highlights thrilling collaborations of traditional percussion instruments from India, Japan, and Italy, alongside the exquisite tonal interplay of Chinese pipa, guitar, string instruments, and of course the unforgettable wild Chinese wind instrument suona and European accordion. With breathtaking musicianship and evocative melodies, this Grammy Award-winning group challenges conventional narratives, unveiling a deeply human perspective that redefines the American experience and transports audiences through a cultural and historical odyssey.

A Grammy Award-winning musical ensemble, Silkroad is a collective of artists representing dozens of nationalities, traditions and ideas, who use music and art to demonstrate how great beauty can emerge from great difference. The Ensemble strives to engage difference, sparking radical collaboration and music with a purpose, for a more hopeful and inclusive world.