Making of ‘The Raft’

The Raft began taking shape in August 2024, when Zafio travelled to Nilento Studios in Sweden to record what would become their most ambitious project to date.

With Shai Maestro at the helm as producer and artistic guide, the sessions brought a new dimension to the trio’s sound, weaving electronic elements and contemporary production into the acoustic jazz foundation that has defined their work since their 2021 debut. The result is an album that pushes into new territory while holding onto the emotional depth and spontaneity that has made Zafio a rising force in the Israeli jazz scene.

The Raft also brought together a remarkable group of collaborators. Gilad Hekselman, Ben Wendel, and Maestro himself all appear as guests, their contributions shaping an album that feels both expansive and intimate.