Jazz Trio at the Boston Athenaeum

Jazz Trio at the Boston Athenaeum – Improvising a Blues
December 2023 | Boston, MA

In the final days of 2023, Zishi Liu performed with his jazz trio at the iconic Boston Athenaeum—a storied sanctuary of literature, art, and American intellectual history. Hosted as part of a private corporate celebration, the event transformed one of Boston’s most revered cultural institutions into an intimate setting for live music and creative exchange.

With tenor saxophone, piano, and bass, the trio offered a soulful set rooted in the blues tradition, with a contemporary jazz sensibility that elevated the atmosphere without overwhelming its quiet grandeur. Each piece unfolded like a conversation—playful, spontaneous, and deeply tuned to the energy of the room. Liu’s improvisations wove gracefully through the acoustic warmth of the space, echoing against marble columns and oak-paneled walls.

Set against a backdrop of candlelight, vintage books, and historic architecture, the performance blurred the line between performance and ambiance—creating a night of elegance, connection, and artistic presence in one of Boston’s most inspiring cultural landmarks.