The Jiayi Guo Quartet feat.Yazhi Guo and Tao He (Monkfish Concert Series)

A night of music dedicated to celebrating the joy and significance of family. The Jiayi Guo Quartet will be playing a series of works intertwining Chinese and jazz music, featuring her father and mother, Chinese woodwind virtuoso Yazhi Guo and acclaimed erhu soloist Tao He.

Personnel:
Jiayi Guo, piano
Yazhi Guo, suona
Tao He, erhu & gaohu
Aki Oliviero, guitar
Chris Lee, acoustic bass
Jillian Upshaw, drums

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!

BIO:

Jiayi Guo is a Hong Kong-born jazz pianist, arranger, and composer currently studying at Berklee College of Music and the Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.Guo began as a classically trained pianist, making her Carnegie Hall debut as a winner of the 2016 13th Annual American Arts Festival competition. She now works under the mentorship of artists like Kris Davis and Francisco Mela, and has performed with George Garzone and David Fiuczynski. In 2025, she received the Composer and Pianist Award from the Brubeck Living Legacy Foundation and Jazz Education Network. Guo leads her own ensemble playing original works and has arranged for the Orquestra Chinesa de Macau, the International Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan.

Yazhi Guo is widely regarded as one of the finest suona players in the world. A graduate of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, he served as Principal Suona with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and is celebrated for his virtuosic technique and boundary-pushing creativity. In 1993, he revolutionized the instrument by inventing the “flexible core” (movable reed), allowing for chromatic and expressive capabilities previously thought impossible—an innovation that earned him a national award from China’s Ministry of Culture. Guo has performed globally as a soloist, winning the prestigious Pro Musicis International Award in New York and appearing at high-profile events such as the state banquet for President Clinton in Beijing. After moving to the U.S., he earned an Artist Diploma from Berklee College of Music, where he explored the fusion of traditional Chinese music with jazz and contemporary genres. As both a performer and educator, Guo continues to expand the global reach of the suona, inspiring new generations through his work at institutions like Berklee, Bard College, and beyond.

A distinguished erhu soloist, Tao He graduated with honors from the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing in 1992. Immediately following her graduation, she joined the China Radio National Orchestra, where she performed both erhu and gaohu. In 1999, she was invited to Singapore by Expect Music Record Company as a contract artist. There, she began exploring new musical styles through her performances on the erhu in popular music. One of her notable appearances in 2000 earned her high praise from Singapore’s Prime Minister, and she was featured on the covers of Arts Magazine and Singapore Women’s Weekly. In 2002, Ms. He joined the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, touring extensively across Asia, Europe, and the United States.

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