Lunar New Year Celebration with Zishi Liu and Friends
Sat, 28 Feb, 7:00 PM EST
Doors open
6:30 PM EST
Regattabar
1 Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Description
Ring in the Lunar New Year with an unforgettable evening of music that bridges cultures, traditions, and generations. Led by acclaimed jazz saxophonist and arranger Zishi Liu, this concert reimagines beloved Lunar New Year melodies alongside rarely heard works from underrepresented Asian voices. Drawing on his multicultural background, Liu curates and arranges a program that honors tradition while expanding it through the expressive language of modern jazz.
The ensemble features an exceptional lineup: Grammy-nominated drummer Francisco Mela, virtuosic Cuban pianist Harold Charon, and bassist Nick Isherwood, recipient of the prestigious Jimmy Lyons Scholarship. Completing the group is the dynamic and versatile vocalist Alex Gao, whose spirited performance brings the music to life.
Come early, stay late — and celebrate the New Year through a night of vibrant rhythm, cross-cultural connection, and joyous improvisation.
Celebrate the New Year. Be part of the music.
Zishi Liu - Tenor Sax/Band Leader
Alex Gao - Vocal
Harod Charon - Piano
Nick Isherwood - Bass
Francisco Mela - Drum
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Seats are assigned by date of purchase. Tickets purchased the night of the show at the door will be seated first come, first served at remaining tables.
Groups larger than 8 must purchase a group package at regattabar@charleshotel.com or by calling 617-661-5099.
Event Information
Age Limit
All Ages
China
Zishi Liu
Zishi Liu
China
A native of China, Zishi Liu is a Boston based saxophonist and music curator who was welcomed as a ‘surprise’ (The Bay State Banner) to the Boston jazz scene.
As a performer and composer, Zishi’s music seeks to create and resolve new tensions between familiar and foreign themes. The melancholic aspects of Coltrane's later work which incorporates Eastern concepts of meditation and emptiness serve as a departure point for his music.
His childhood coincided with a pivotal moment in 90s Asian pop music. As China reopened to the West, Chinese musical culture rapidly redefined itself, synthesizing Western pop harmonies and R&B stylings with the lyricality and sentiment of Chinese ballads.
Zishi has toured extensively in the U.S., China, Malaysia, and Singapore, and remains an active figure in the New England jazz scene. In 2024, Zishi will record his quartet’s debut album and organize a tour that explores the historical journey of jazz from the West to the East.
In addition to his work as a performer, Zishi contributes to the music community as a staff member at the Longy School of Music of Bard College, where he supports the next generation of musicians and engages in educational initiatives that promote artistry and cultural exchange.