Cui performs in a concert in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, in 2015. [Photo by Geng Yuhe/China Daily]

Referring to Copeland's appearance at the show, Cui says: "When I thought about guest performers, I wanted to have someone who inspired me musically.

"Copeland is definitely one of them," says Cui, adding that one of his favorite albums is The Rhythmatist by Copeland.

Copeland recorded the album in Africa in 1984, and it features African percussion and other musical instruments.

"Copeland is known for reggae-influenced drumming. I like reggae and I hope we can rearrange some of my new songs and also The Police's songs.

"If it's possible, I also want to sing with him," says Cui.

Despite his achievements, Cui, a classically trained singer-songwriter, who joined the Beijing Symphony Orchestra in 1981 as a trumpet player, hates to wallow in past glory.

What matters to him is the future.

Also, Cui's achievements are not just restricted to music. Besides music, Cui has also starred in movies, such as The Sun Also Rises, directed by award-winning filmmaker Jiang Wen in 2007.

Cui also released his directorial debut, Blue Sky Bones, in 2013, which features his own music.

On the music front, Cui released his latest album Frozen Light in 2015.

Regarded as his musical comeback, and 10 years after Show Your Color, the latest album explores the theme of light, darkness and space with tracks such as Fish and Bird, Out Side Girl and Cool Melon Tree.

The album received mixed reviews.

Cui says he had expected this, adding: "I do experiments with my music and I believe in the longevity of my music.

"It takes a long time for me to complete a song and each of my songs needs a process of digestion.

"There are many songs which become popular overnight. But this kind of reaction dies soon.

"My songs are not like that. I don't really care about titles like 'godfather'. It is something up there and not real. It has nothing to do with the real me. I prefer being a real person."

If you go

7 pm, Sept 26. Beijing Workers' Stadium, Gongti Beilu (North road), Chaoyang district, Beijing. 400-610-3721.

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