When bassist Avishai Cohen performed at Müpa in April 2012, many were feverish with anticipation to see that the advertised line-up also featured fellow Israeli Shai Maestro at the piano. In the end, Maestro couldn't make that concert, so this May evening will finally make up for it. At the same time, those who became fans of the pianist after hearing any of the three albums since released by the Shai Maestro Trio will enter this concert with fresh enthusiasm.
Though classically trained, the 29-year-old Maestro was soon drawn to the formal and emotional world of jazz. At the age of only 16, he won a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music, but opted not to go to Boston when an inner voice suggested otherwise. Before he could decide whether to move to New York or to India to study traditional Indian music, Avishai Cohen invited him to join his group - a musical relationship that lasted until 2011. In the meantime, Maestro had moved to New York after all, where he met fellow Israeli and drummer Ziv Ravitz, who in turn introduced him to Peruvian bassist Jorge Roeder. From their first practice session together, the trio felt a magical connection. (For this concert, the 25-year-old Swiss multi-instrumentalist Arthur Hnatek will play the drums. ) Maestro's music was described by Nate Chinen in The New York Times as 'thoughtful and melodic”, while The Guardian critic John Fordham predicted that the pianist's solo career will certainly be one to follow closely.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest