The name The Jumping Buddha Ensemble comes from the Chinese "Fo Tiao Qiang,"or "The Buddha Jumps 
Over the Fence." Literally, this is a very famousChinese dish consisting of several expensive, unique
ingredient not commonly combined into one dish. It is so good in fact... that Buddha would 
break from his meditation and jump a fence to eat it.

Founded in 1995, presenting a high professional standard, representing the modern, conservator tradition of Chinese music, the Jumping Buddha Ensemble consists of musicians specializing in the traditional music of China, as well as, explorations incorporating new scales, tonalities, and
instrumentations. Founding members Michael Santoro, Xiaofeng Zhang and Fred Fung, with various guest musicians, perform and educate across the country, in various performance spaces & theaters, schools, universities, multi-cultural festivals, events, Chinese banquets, on radio, and television.

Over the last several years, the ensemble has grown into one of the most sought after Chinese ensembles, having some of the most recognized musicians from China. Since 2000, three former leading members of the National Traditional Orchestra have joined the Jumping Buddha Ensemble, including Hecheng Liu, Pipa (Chinese Lute), Wanpeng Guo, Sheng (Mouth Organ) and Zhang Yu, Suona (Chinese double reed). New members also include Peng Lu, Yangqin (Chinese dulcimer from Shanghai Conservatory of Music).

Some of the most recent performance highlights include the the Knitting Factory in New York (1998), the Bethlehem Musik Fest in PA (1998), Goldman Environmental Prize ceremony at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House (2001), San Francisco World Music Festival (2002), & the Asiatisk
Karavane Fastival (Norway)... Upcoming performances include the Jumping Buddha concert at the Asian Art Museum (June 19, 2003) & Marc Huestis presents WAR IS OVER: Create peace at the castro theater (July 18, 2003),both in San Francisco!