“Since I was a kid, I have had this ‘sponge–like’ character,” pianist Shai Maestro readily admits. “I ab­sorb everything that’s around me, so being part of Avishai Cohen’s group was the best school I could have hoped for. I kept my eyes, ears and heart wide open to learn from him…and from the other incredi­ble musicians that joined us later down the road during my time with him.” With the Cohen group, Sha “Since I was a kid, I have had this ‘sponge–like’ character,” pianist Shai Maestro readily admits. “I ab­sorb everything that’s around me, so being part of Avishai Cohen’s group was the best school I could have hoped for. I kept my eyes, ears and heart wide open to learn from him…and from the other incredi­ble musicians that joined us later down the road during my time with him.” With the Cohen group, Shai recorded four albums and toured the world. Since moving to New York in 2009 and parting with Avishai Cohen two years later, he’s maintained a busy sideman career while burnishing his reputation as a leader in his own right. “For me, this is the best place to be on earth if you want to become a jazz musician,” says Shai Maestro. “The abundance of incredibly great, hardworking and dedicated musicians that live and create there is overwhelming…The fact that you can share the stage with these musicians is the best school one can hope for and that’s what makes the difference for me.” Of his upcoming CD "Untold Stories", Bill Milkwoski of Downbeat Magazine said "Maestro reveals a remarkable range of expression while dazzling with his uncanny facility." Come and celebrate this CD release with special guest Theo Bleckmann, one night only at Jazz Standard! Shai Maestro – piano Jorge Roeder – bass Ziv Ravitz – drums Theo Bleckmann – special guest vocalist Camila Meza – special guest vocalist & guitarist