It may seem like an unusual pairing – the guzheng, an instrument rooted in ancient China, and drums and bass, the staples of modern jazz.  But for Lucy Luan, Jakob Roland and Henrik Holst, this collaboration is about experimenting with new sonic landscapes. They describe it as building a conversation with musical notes – exchanging ideas and emotions.

"When we hear the sounds of the traditional instruments, it takes us to a special place that is very unusual to us, so it's a new way to feel music," Roland, the bassist in the trio, explained.

Fusing two distinct musical traditions came with its challenges. However, the musicians quickly discovered that music, much like friendship, thrives on listening and responding.

Luan, who plays the guzheng in the band, said she refuses to be confined by the traditional limitations of the instrument.

"It's a tool… It all depends on who's playing it, and what you want to deliver to the audience," she said.

As Luan, Holst and Roland continue to explore new sonic landscapes, they show how music from different traditions and backgrounds can be woven together to create original and inspiring works of wonder.