ZAFIO

Zafio is a genre-bending piano trio whose sound merges contemporary jazz, electronic music, classical influences, and echoes of Hebrew song. Pianist Itay Simhovich, bassist Ilai Salomon, and drummer Yali Stern formed the group at the Thelma Yellin National High School of the Arts, where an immediate musical connection sparked a collaboration that has grown into a distinctive artistic voice.

From their earliest live performances, the trio showed a shared curiosity for pushing the limits of the traditional piano-trio format. Over years of playing and writing together, Zafio developed a sonic identity defined by deep interplay, rich harmony, rhythmic exploration, and an ongoing search for new textures and forms.

THE RAFT

Their upcoming second album, The Raft, recorded in August 2024 at Nilento Studios in Sweden, marks a new chapter for the trio. Produced and artistically guided by Shai Maestro, the album features guest appearances from internationally acclaimed artists Gilad Hekselman, Ben Wendel, and Maestro himself. The project presents Zafio’s most ambitious work to date—blending acoustic jazz with electronic elements and modern production aesthetics, while preserving the emotional depth and spontaneity of their live performances.

Zafio’s debut album, created in 2021 under the mentorship of pianist and composer Tomer Bar, was praised for its originality and conceptual scope. Since then, the trio has become an active and rising presence in the Israeli jazz scene, collaborating with leading musicians in Israel and abroad, including Avishai Cohen, Yuval Cohen, Asaf Yuria, Mattan Klein, Nitzan Bar, and many others.

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AND BEYOND…

Beyond the trio’s work, pianist Itay Simhovich has performed internationally as part of the ensemble of Avishai Cohen, appearing on stages worldwide and further refining the group’s collective musical depth.

Today, Zafio continues to explore new directions, composing fresh material and developing a modern live show that blends acoustic instruments, electronic layers, and improvisational freedom. With their new album ‘The Raft’, the trio stands at the forefront of a new generation of jazz artists redefining the sound of contemporary piano trio music.