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Artist: Shai Maestro
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Shai Maestro:

Human

In its review of pianist Shai Maestro's leader debut, The Dream Thief, All About Jazz spoke of "a searching lyrical atmosphere, emotional eloquence and communal virtuosity that serves the music." All of which also applies to Human, Maestro's second album as a bandleader on the ECM imprint, which was recorded at Studios la Buissonne in February 2020 and produced by Manfred Eicher.

The pianist's outgoing and highly communicative trio with fellow Israeli Ofri Nehemya on drums and Peruvian bassist Jorge Roeder becomes a quartet with the inspired addition of American trumpeter Philip Dizack. Maestro's expansive pianism and differentiated touch is well-matched by Dizack's alert, quick-thinking approach to improvising. "There was always a special understanding between us on how we see music and how we see life," says Maestro. "It's one of those relationships that it feels like it's always been there." Before adding him to the band, Maestro and Dizack played together as sidemen on gigs with numerous groups in New York. "Philip's trumpet playing sounds to me like a human voice speaking to you," says Maestro, "and adding him to the trio takes us to our next level."