My Content
Membership has its privileges! Sign up or sign in to gain full access to both All About Jazz and Jazz Near You. Learn more.
Shai Maestro: The Dream Thief
Having built a considerable reputation with fellow Israeli, bassist Avishai Cohen, on his fully realized, fulfilling ECM debut, The Dream Thief, pianist Shai Maestro readily creates a searching lyrical atmosphere, a unique blend of chamber improvisation, emotional eloquence, and communal virtuosity that serves the music and its grand moment of creation.
Maestro sets off with a delicate, spontaneous solo reading of the evocatively haunting "My Second Childhood," by popular Israeli composer (and Maestro's teacher) Matti Capsi. Built on an irregular meter, longtime bassist Jorge Roeder and new drummer Ofri Nehemya bring a flowing mystery to "The Forgotten Village." An invigorating round-robin trio chase lends the title track its symmetrical form, until Maestro breaks into free form improv. "A Moon's Tale" luxuriates in its freedom. Nehemya serves as the rhythmic heart and counterweight on "New River, New Water," an exciting trio workout that has the leader calling out exultantly as the tempo builds and builds.
"These Foolish Things" has Maestro soloing joyfully before the poignant closer, "What Else Need Be Done." Inspired by the Sandy Hook school massacre, this is a quiet hymn incorporating segments from President Obama's speech expressing the need for gun control. The other active ingredient in this shining debut is the clarity of production by ECM main man Manfred Eicher, whose vision has brought many recordings like this to life, with each one holding its own spark of life and originality.
Maestro sets off with a delicate, spontaneous solo reading of the evocatively haunting "My Second Childhood," by popular Israeli composer (and Maestro's teacher) Matti Capsi. Built on an irregular meter, longtime bassist Jorge Roeder and new drummer Ofri Nehemya bring a flowing mystery to "The Forgotten Village." An invigorating round-robin trio chase lends the title track its symmetrical form, until Maestro breaks into free form improv. "A Moon's Tale" luxuriates in its freedom. Nehemya serves as the rhythmic heart and counterweight on "New River, New Water," an exciting trio workout that has the leader calling out exultantly as the tempo builds and builds.
"These Foolish Things" has Maestro soloing joyfully before the poignant closer, "What Else Need Be Done." Inspired by the Sandy Hook school massacre, this is a quiet hymn incorporating segments from President Obama's speech expressing the need for gun control. The other active ingredient in this shining debut is the clarity of production by ECM main man Manfred Eicher, whose vision has brought many recordings like this to life, with each one holding its own spark of life and originality.
Track Listing: My Second Childhood; The Forgotten Village; The Dream Thief; A Moon's tale; Lifeline; Choral; New River, New Water; These Foolish Things; What Else Needs To Happen.
Personnel: Shai maestro - piano; Jorge Roeder - double bass; Ofri Nehemya - drums/
Title: The Dream Thief | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: ECM Records
Tags
Related Video
View All Events
| Date | Detail |
|---|---|
|
Nov18Sun
18:30
|
Shai MaestroRonnie Scott'sLondon, UK |
|
Nov20Tue
20:00
|
Shai MaestroSendesaal BremenBremen, Germany |
|
Nov22Thu
20:30
|
Shai Maestro TrioBimhuisAmsterdam, Netherlands |
|
Nov24Sat
19:00
|
Shai MaestroBarbican CentreLondon, UK |
|
Jan28Sun
19:00
|
Shai MaestroMoodsZurich, Switzerland |
Related Articles
Genius Guide to JazzTop 10 Moments in Jazz History
by Jeff Fitzgerald, Genius
Published: November 12, 2018
CD/LP/Track Review
Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album Deluxe Editionby Doug Collette
Published: July 22, 2018
Album Showcase
-
La Fenice by Keith Jarrett
Shop Amazon
Story of the Day
In 1998, having a blast playing with a big band made up of students from Thelonius Monk's Institute of Jazz, outdoors, surrounded by the gorgeous mountains of Aspen Snow Mass, I was thinking how much I wanted to create a smaller band that would have the same power of a big band, but with so much more room in it for each musician to shine. Little did I know this was the beginning of a beautiful journey, one that continues to this day, in which every concert, every recording is another beginning, another thrill, another joy. I conceived of the band as a septet 20 years ago, and later refined it to a sextet in 2005
Read more
By Amina Figarova
Member since: 2014
Cast Your Vote!
Help us identify the world's top 100 jazz venues. Voting takes seconds so please participate!
