Ming Jiang Zhu (1955-2014) was one of the world’s most respected contemporary violin makers and an incredible success story worthy of international attention.
Though young Mr. Zhu was born to two accountant parents, he anticipated a gruelling life working in harsh conditions on sugar plantations as was the usual option for young people in Panyu province. As a teen he started working in construction, a more lucrative industry, and soon his keen interest and skills in woodworking and painting set him apart from his peers.
He had never held or even seen a violin in his life, but at age 20 he was one of 25 fortunate students selected to study at the then-new Guangzhou Musical Instruments School in China. The institution has since produced many famous world-class makers.
By age 22 he applied current scientic research and hands-on practice at the Guangzhou Musical Instrument Research Institute to his craft. His first entry in the VSA international violin making competition in 1986 (age 31) saw him wimnning a Certificate of Merit for Workmanship.
In 1991 he opened his own home workshop in a corner closet-sized space of his tiny 215 square foot apartment crafting his own brand: Mingjiang Violins.
In the following year he won an astonishing three awards in the Violin Society of America (VSA) Competition. The unprecedented wins earned him an interview and story with Time Magazine in 1996 entitled, “They’re Made Where?” and smashed negative stereotypes in the Asian violin trade.
Mr. Zhu went on to win an impressive nineteen (you read that right, 19) VSA awards over the next 20 years, including two Gold Medals in Violin Making [1994 and 2006] and a Silver Award in Viola making [1996]. These impressive and enviable accolates saw him gain much respect in the luthier world as well as practice rooms, concert halls, and well beyond.
He was a member of the Entente Internationale des Maîtres-luthiers et Archetiers d’Art from 2008, served as a juror for craftsmanship at the first International Chinese Violin Making Competition in 2010, and was Vice President of his local violin making association.
Tragically Mr. Zhu succumed to complications from liver cancer in late 2014 after serious heart issues in the years leading up to his death. Heartwarmingly his beautiful legacy lives on through the workshop he lovingly founded and which continues to produce instruments in his celebrated style and superb methods under the management of his brother-in-law.