I Can't Talk to Nobody But Music with Liu Zishi Quartet

“I Can’t Talk to Nobody But Music”

Liu Zishi Quartet — New Original Compositions, 2026

For saxophonist and composer Zishi Liu, music has always been the language that says what words can’t. This October, Zishi brings a brand-new set of original compositions to The Mad Monkfish —music written through a season of change, reflections on life, growth, and the things he couldn’t quite say any other way.

Featuring:

Zishi Liu — Saxophone

Harold Charon — Piano

Youngchae Jeong — Bass

Special guest on Drums

Zishi made history as the first Chinese artist to perform at the internationally renowned Regattabar, in partnership with Blue Note Jazz Club, and has toured extensively across the U.S., China, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore. His 2025 EP American Anxiety — featuring Francisco Mela (drums) and Eric Hofbauer (guitar) — was spotlighted by All About Jazz and WBUR for its emotional depth and genre-bending fusion of jazz with global influences.

Raised in China during a pivotal moment of cultural transformation, Zishi’s compositions draw on the melancholic lyricism of 90s Asian pop, the harmonic language of jazz, and the meditative stillness of Chinese classical music — finding an unspoken kinship between Coltrane’s late-period searching and the guqin’s centuries-old embrace of emptiness and raw emotional truth.

This performance marks the debut of Zishi’s newest compositions — an evening of
music built from everything he couldn’t say out loud.

NOTE:

Immerse yourself in the cozy atmosphere of the Jazz Baroness Room at The Mad Monkfish, where you can sip your favorite drink, savor sushi or Thai cuisine, and enjoy the mesmerizing sounds of a remarkable jazz ensemble. Whether you're a seasoned jazz aficionado or simply seeking a delightful night out, this event promises to be a treat for your senses. To keep this vibrant jazz scene alive, we require a minimum spend of $25 per person, since all ticket proceeds go directly to the musicians. If a guest spends less than $25, the difference will be added to the check—this small gesture helps us keep the restaurant running and the music flowing. We’re grateful for your support—it’s what keeps the spirit of live jazz alive here at The Mad Monkfish.

Our full bar and food menus are available to complement the musical experience, so indulge in our renowned cuisine while supporting live jazz at The Mad Monkfish. Together, we can keep the music playing!