We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zishi Liu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Zishi, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

My journey into jazz was anything but conventional. Growing up in China, my mother enrolled me in saxophone lessons as a child, inspired by the soaring popularity of Kenny G in the 1990s. However, my city had no proper saxophone instructors, so I studied with a clarinet teacher and played classical music instead. The lack of connection to the instrument and the rigid structure of classical training led me to resent the saxophone, and I eventually quit in 6 months, convinced that music was not meant for me.

Years later, while pursuing a degree in environmental science in Malaysia, fate had a different plan. As part of my curriculum, I was required to take a non-science elective. I initially chose folk guitar, thinking it would be a fun and casual class. However, the class was full, and I was instead placed in the university’s Big Band ensemble—a term that meant nothing to me at the time. When I walked into the first rehearsal, armed only with an acoustic guitar and four chords, I quickly realized I was entirely out of place. The conductor, instead of turning me away, encouraged me to stay but explained that there was no role for a guitarist in the band unless I played another instrument. At that moment, I remembered my brief history with the saxophone and decided to pick it up again, purely so I could participate. What started as a practical decision soon became a profound turning point in my life.

Jazz, I would come to learn, is all about taking risks—stepping into the unknown, embracing imperfection, and discovering beauty in unpredictability. That first rehearsal was my introduction not just to a new genre, but to an entirely new way of thinking. Even though I had little experience, I took the leap. Despite my newfound enthusiasm, I had no access to formal jazz education. Determined to learn, I traveled 12-14 hours by bus every week for a single one-hour lesson with Patrick Terbrack, the only American jazz saxophonist in Malaysia at the time. The long journeys were grueling, but they fueled my passion rather than deterred it. I spent every spare moment listening to jazz recordings—Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald—my companions on long trips. With time, my curiosity transformed into deep devotion, and jazz became more than just a genre—a language through which I could express myself.

This relentless pursuit of jazz eventually led me to the Berklee College of Music, where I was able to immerse myself in the craft fully. Moving to the United States was both exhilarating and overwhelming. As an international student, I faced cultural and linguistic challenges, but music was my bridge to connection and belonging. Berklee provided an education and a thriving community of musicians who constantly pushed one another to grow—to stretch beyond what was safe or comfortable. I learned that pushing boundaries is not just a part of jazz; it is jazz. The best improvisers are those who dare to explore uncharted territory, take bold musical chances, and trust their instincts.

Over the years, my work has been recognized for its bold fusion of styles, blending my Chinese heritage with the expressive freedom of jazz. This unique approach has led to collaborations with internationally renowned musicians such as Noah Preminger and Francisco Mela, and performances at prestigious venues across the U.S. and Asia, including the House of Blues and Meeting Jazz Club. On February 1, 2025, I made history as the first Chinese jazz musician to perform at Boston’s famed Regattabar, in collaboration with Blue Note Jazz Club. This milestone is not just a personal achievement but a reflection of the growing global influence of jazz. The day before, on January 31, I was featured on WGBH Radio, where I shared insights about my musical journey and the upcoming performance. These opportunities feel like a full-circle moment—a testament to the power of perseverance, risk-taking, and the universal language of music.

Beyond performance, I have also found immense fulfillment as an educator at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA. Coaching allows me to share my experiences with aspiring musicians, particularly those from China. Today, Chinese students make up the largest international student population at many music conservatories, yet their exposure to jazz remains limited. Through my work, I hope to inspire the next generation of musicians to embrace jazz not just as an American art form, but as a global means of expression—and as a space where taking artistic risks is not only welcomed, but celebrated. The growing cultural exchange between the U.S. and China offers incredible opportunities for artistic collaboration, and I believe music has the power to transcend borders and connect people in ways that words often cannot.

Looking back, my path to jazz was anything but straightforward. What began as an uninspired attempt at the saxophone in childhood, an accidental placement in a university Big Band, and long, exhausting bus rides for lessons, eventually led me to a career I could have never imagined. Each detour along the way was a leap of faith—a moment of choosing courage over certainty. My story is a testament to the idea that sometimes, the most unexpected turns and biggest risks lead to the most fulfilling destinations.

As I continue my journey, both as a performer and an educator, I hope to contribute to the evolving jazz landscape by bringing a unique cultural perspective to the music. Through performances, collaborations, and teaching, I aim to bridge musical traditions and create a space where jazz is accessible and inspiring to a wider audience. After all, music is not just about technical mastery—it is about storytelling, connection, and the willingness to leap into the unknown. In that pursuit—and in those risks—I have found my true voice.

Zishi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

ZISHI LIU: SHAPING JAZZ FOR A GLOBAL GENERATION

Zishi Liu is not just a saxophonist—he is a force in modern jazz, an artist who bridges continents and cultures through sound. As a performer, composer, and curator, his work expands the possibilities of jazz, blending deep tradition with an innovative global perspective. With a sound rooted in the searching spirit of John Coltrane and the meditative restraint of traditional Chinese music, Zishi crafts sonic landscapes that are at once deeply personal and universally resonant.

He made history as the first Chinese artist to perform at Boston’s Regattabar in partnership with Blue Note Jazz Club, a milestone that reflects both his artistic vision and his role in broadening jazz’s cultural dialogue. A sought-after performer, Zishi has toured extensively across the U.S., China, Malaysia, and Singapore, gracing venues from the House of Blues to China’s Meeting Jazz Club. His upcoming projects, “American Anxiety” (as a saxophonist and composer) and “When We Sing” (as an arranger and producer), feature collaborations with Francisco Mela and Eric Hofbauer, further cementing his place in today’s jazz landscape.

But Zishi’s impact extends far beyond performance. He is a curator, strategist, and connector, using jazz as a tool to foster community, elevate underrepresented voices, and redefine what a music career can look like in the 21st century. His work has been featured by WGBH and The Bay State Banner, and he has been instrumental in revitalizing Boston’s jazz scene through forward-thinking programming. Whether transforming Wally’s Jazz Club into a sustainable residency, launching the annual Lunar New Year Jazz Concert at Regattabar, or directing the acclaimed “Who We Are” Asian Music Concert, his projects showcase a vision that is both ambitious and deeply human.

Raised in China during a pivotal moment of cultural transformation, Zishi’s musical voice is shaped by both Eastern and Western influences. His compositions explore the tensions between the familiar and the foreign, drawing on the melancholic lyricism of 90s Asian pop, the harmonic sophistication of jazz, and the meditative qualities of Chinese classical music. As he sees it, Coltrane’s later work shares an unspoken kinship with the introspection of the guqin, a centuries-old Chinese instrument—both embrace emptiness, vulnerability, and raw emotional truth. These ideas form the foundation of his sound.

Zishi is also shaping the next generation of artists through his work at Longy School of Music, where he leads admissions, curates performance opportunities, and mentors students. In 2024, he spearheaded Longy’s China outreach, forging new international partnerships and dramatically increasing applications to the school. His approach to mentorship is hands-on and immersive—he doesn’t just prepare students for careers in music; he helps them carve out their own artistic identities in an evolving global landscape.

For Zishi, jazz is more than a genre—it’s a language of connection. Whether on stage, in the studio, or behind the scenes, he is constantly asking, “What if?”, pushing artistic and cultural boundaries, and creating new spaces for jazz to thrive. His journey, from an unexpected start in Malaysia’s Big Band scene to the forefront of contemporary jazz, is proof that music, when approached with curiosity and conviction, knows no borders.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I decided to pursue music seriously at the age of 24—while still majoring in environmental science in Malaysia—it was far from an easy path. I had no formal background and wasn’t a music major, but I practiced harder than many students who were. Determined to learn jazz, I discovered that the only American jazz saxophonist in the country at the time was teaching private lessons in Kuala Lumpur. I lived in Penang, so every week, I took a 6-to-7-hour bus ride each way—just for a one-hour lesson, I kept it up for 18 months.

I would travel all day, take the lesson, and then get right back on the bus to return home. It was exhausting, but I never once considered quitting. That experience taught me that passion is more powerful than circumstance, and that resilience means showing up, no matter how far the road may be.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey is driven by the world around me—social issues and everyday experiences that deeply move me. When something strikes me emotionally, I feel compelled to respond through music. I can’t create unless I truly feel something, and when I do, I pour it into my work with complete honesty. For me, composing isn’t about following trends or playing it safe—it’s about telling the truth, capturing the moment, and giving voice to what often goes unspoken.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.zishimusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zishi.music/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/ZISHI-LIU-100070373850949/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZISHILIU
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/zishi-liu-996825895
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Zishi_Liu

Image Credits

Spencer Reintges
Weifan Chen