Though I was born in Xinjiang, I spent my formative years in Beijing as my parents worked at the China Ethnic Languages Translation Center there. This gave me a distinct Beijing accent, which often surprises people. If you heard me speaking without seeing me, you would never guess that I am, in fact, a Uygur from Xinjiang.
In 1985, my family relocated to Urumqi and my musical journey began. By 1993, I had formed my first rock band, Puppet, and five years later, I returned to Beijing to co-found Afanti, the first band in China to fuse Xinjiang music with the fiery flamenco music of Andalusia in south Spain, part of the culture of the Roma people. In 2001, the band had the honor of performing in China Central Television (CCTV)’s Spring Festival Gala.
However, the band broke up the next year and my solo career began. I established the Keerman Flamenco Guitar Ensemble, which is still active. The ensemble has performed on countless stages, and I have held several solo concerts.
My life is anchored by a happy family. My wife, a talented singer, has been the cornerstone of my musical journey, providing invaluable support and collaborating on my solo albums—from lyrics to vocals. In 2013, the birth of our daughter added a new joy and purpose to our lives.
Beyond the guitar, my passion is songwriting. For me, composition is a rewarding challenge. I believe that music possesses a unique, enduring vitality; it transcends national borders, ethnic differences and the passage of time. I find great fulfillment in pouring my emotions into my work.
A milestone on this path came in 2008, when I composed the theme song for renowned Hong Kong-based director Tsui Hark’s film Missing. The song was nominated for Best Original Film Song at the 2009 Hong Kong Film Awards—a moment of immense significance in my career.
While on this creative path, I met Chen Ruijun, an official dedicated to the development of Xinjiang. We met by chance at a gathering and we immediately felt a sense of kinship. We have remained close friends ever since.
During his tenure, Chen worked in Hetian (Hotan) Prefecture in southwest Xinjiang as the deputy commander of the 14th Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Hetian is a challenging region with an arid climate and frequent sandstorms. The population is predominantly Uygur.
For a year and a half, Chen navigated this unfamiliar environment with remarkable dedication. He went deep into the countryside and local communities, moving past the language barrier to truly understand the lifestyle and customs of the people. He didn’t just work there; he fell in love with the land and its people. The stories he shared with me were always filled with deep affection and beautiful memories.
Chen essentially became a “Xinjiang local” at heart, traveling across the Tianshan Mountains with his camera to document the landscape and the people.
In 2011, his book Nanjiang Feihong, or Flying Swans of South Xinjiang in English, was published by Xinhua Publishing House. The book documents the local people and culture with both photographs and writing, reflecting his observations and thoughts. It makes readers feel as though they are walking in Xinjiang with him.
The year 2014 was a difficult one. Following the March 1 terror attack in Kunming in southwest China by separatists from Xinjiang, the entire nation was in pain. In the atmosphere of fear and suspicion that followed, many people outside Xinjiang began to look at Xinjiang people with bias. This was an incredibly harrowing time for those of us who love the region.
It was during this time that Chen called me. He wanted to have one of his songs translated into Uygur, but I suggested we co-create a new song instead. I composed the music and Chen wrote the lyrics. We wanted to face reality while looking toward a brighter future, to replace the “haze” in people’s hearts with positive energy. After six months of meticulous work, we released Xinjiang Under the Blue Sky, performed by a team of renowned singers.
This was the start of a fruitful partnership. Later, we collaborated on Sunshine of Love, the theme song for CCTV’s anti-terrorism documentary Black Clouds Pressing on the City, which was widely acclaimed.
Though my family and I moved to the United States in 2015, my friendship with Chen remains as strong as ever. We continue to collaborate across the distance, each project deepening our mutual respect and understanding. I am certain our bond will be lifelong.
Chen Ruijun’s words
When I first met Keerman, I was struck by his Beijing accent. Then as I got to know him, his passion for the guitar caught my attention.
At the Xinjiang-themed musical soiree where we met, Keerman played the guitar and sang Uygur songs. Even though I didn’t understand the lyrics, the melody resonated with me deeply. I told him, “This song sounds like a love song without conclusion,” which led him to regard me as a kindred spirit.
Later, he improvised a piece on his guitar. I was aware of his background—he was a graduate of Xinjiang Arts University and a flamenco expert—and I was impressed by his spontaneous creativity. The music flowed like a dream, moving between gentle, soothing passages and explosive, passionate crescendos. At that moment, I knew we were going to be friends for life.
Our bond was forged in Xinjiang and cemented through music. After the Kunming incident, our collaboration, Xinjiang Under the Blue Sky, was a labor of passion; we put our heart and soul into it, sparing no effort to ensure its success.
Even after Keerman moved to the U.S., we continue to communicate. And we continue to produce music together. –The Daily Mail-Beijing Review news exchange item
