Born in Harbin, Xu Zhitong attended conservatory in Germany before making a splash on China’s music scene. The drummer has worked with other jazz musicians, including bassist Liu Yue and trumpeter Li Xiaochuan. But he also lends his technical, expressive work to fusion outfits like Duck Fight Goose and NaraBara. And he’s supported other adventurous musicians like Amber Kuo—not to mention the godfather of Chinese rock himself, Cui Jian.