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Shalosh

SHALOSH is an instrumental piano trio that belongs to the current generation of cross genre jazz groups able to reach a wide spectrum of audiences, in the Jazz world as well as in other genres.

In their ten years of activity, the three childhood friends SHALOSH have refused to define or strict themselves to one genre or another, their music is raw, honest and progressive, crossing stylistic boundaries and ever changing. They have performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages with hundreds of concerts through the years and gained recognition as one of the world’s leading young trios. 

Despite its classic jazz trio format (piano, bass and drums) and the band members’ deep roots in jazz and improvised music, SHALOSH’s music weaves its own path and creates a unique and fascinating synthesis out of such varied genres as rock, classical, electronic, African, and Middle Eastern music. 

The story behind the band begins in Jerusalem, where childhood friends Matan Assayag (drums) and Gadi Stern (piano) formed the mythological Jerusalem band ‘Enoma Elish’.  After the band broke up, Assayag and Stern continued their musical partnership, between Israel and New York, where Gadi lived for nearly a decade, breathing in and drawing inspiration from the NY  jazz scene. 

In early 2014 they decided to form SHALOSH and in 2016  enlisted bass player David Michaeli, who was at the time one the most promising young musicians in Israel. 

Since their debut album, The Bell Garden, came out, in March 2014, SHALOSH has made a deep mark on the international scene. The album received great attention and praise from the press in Israel and abroad, and was acclaimed as one of the most promising debut albums of the year. As well as its recognition online, It gained airplay in Brazil, England, Poland, Germany, Austria, and the United States, and copies were  sold in Japan, Europe, and the USA, despite the album being an Indie album, being released without a label. 

The band promoted The Bell Garden, touring England, Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Poland, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Latvia, Albania, Holland, Romania, and Turkey.    

In January 2017, SHALOSH released its second album, Rules of Oppression, through the French label Jazz Family and the new German label Contemplate Records.

Praised by the critics of some of the leading jazz magazines in Europe as one of the best albums of the year. It was defined as “a masterpiece” by Unmagi Takoya, one of the prominent radio broadcasters in Japan. 

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2
Album Review

Shalosh: Tales of Utopia

Read "Tales of Utopia" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic


If we are the sum of the stories we riff to ourselves then podcast to others, then Tales of Utopia is a grand narrative by the Israeli trio of pianist/keyboardist Gadi Stern, double bassist David Michaeli and drummer Matan Assayag. Tales of Utopia, like the young, agile trio's 2020 album Broken Balance (ACT Records), doesn't break any new ground as far as piano trios go, but it sure sounds good and captures one's immediate attention. Exhibiting influences as ...

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Catching Up With

Shalosh: Onwards and Upwards Indeed

Read "Shalosh: Onwards and Upwards Indeed" reviewed by Phillip Woolever


Shalosh is the Hebrew word for “three," and also a powerhouse piano trio from jny: Jerusalem with a dynamic rhythm section featuring drummer Matan Assayag and bassist David Michaeli with Gadi Stern on the keys. The group formed in 2014 when Stern and Assayag, who've known each other since childhood, joined with Michaeli for the trio's debut record. Their emphasis on co-leadership has been evident since the beginning. These days they are enjoying a significant surge in recognition ...

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Extended Analysis

Shalosh: The Bell Garden

Read "Shalosh: The Bell Garden" reviewed by Phil Barnes


A strong friendship can be a wonderful thing, a connection that allows you to pick up where you left off no matter how long the gap, one that remains strong whatever your respective experiences since you last met. Should you and your friends happen to be professional musicians then that gift can potentially go to a whole new higher level. Israeli trio Shalosh met in High School and their friendship endured even pianist Gadi Stern's six year exile in the ...

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