Biography
Born in 1987, Shai Maestro is one of the most inventive and influential pianists of his generation. Since the debut of his trio in 2011, he has developed a distinct musical voice-fluid, expressive and deeply lyrical-that has established him as a key figure in contemporary jazz; blending improvisation, composition and global influences to create a sound that is both cinematic and deeply personal.
Born in Israel, Maestro began studying classical music at the age of five and discovered jazz a few years later thanks to Keith Jarrett and Oscar Peterson. He was only nineteen when he joined double bassist Avishai Cohen’s trio and co-wrote the legendary album ‘Gently Disturbed’ (2008), which took him all over the world. In 2011 he finally formed his own trio, recording six albums and establishing his reputation as a singular voice in modern jazz. With his latest releases on ECM Records, produced by Manfred Eicher, Maestro follows in the footsteps of legendary pianists such as Keith Jarrett, Paul Bley and Chick Corea. His quartet, featuring drummer Ofri Nehemya, bassist Jorge Roeder and trumpeter Philip Dizack, continues to explore new frontiers in contemporary jazz. Their latest album, Human (2021), recorded during the pandemic, illustrates Maestro’s ability to create musical landscapes that are both intimate and expansive.
In 2025, Shai Maestro begins a new chapter: his first solo piano recording, marking the start of a long-term series. This project explores the subtle balance between structure and spontaneity, and reflects his evolving relationship with composition and improvisation. Inspired by a lesson from Chick Corea-‘There are only three things in this business: composition, composition… and composition’-Maestro has spent years refining his approach, gradually allowing improvisation to reshape his writing. His solo work is divided into ‘Miniatures’-short, spontaneous improvisations-and ‘Tales’, extended explorations of melodic and harmonic ideas. This series bears witness to his artistic evolution, capturing a singular moment and promising continued evolution for future volumes. In parallel with this new creative phase, Maestro signed a long-term contract with the prestigious naïve records label.
This collaboration gives him a platform to realise his ambitious artistic vision, expanding his audience and spreading his music worldwide. Beyond his performances, Maestro’s creativity extends to film music, orchestral collaborations and production. He has composed for the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and premiered his orchestral work Alice with the Orquestra de Câmara Portuguesa in 2022. Today, with his solo piano series and his partnership with naïve records, he continues to redefine his artistic path-always searching, always evolving.
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