This podcast episode explores the process and inspiration behind Shai Maestro's decision to expand his trio to a quartet for his latest album, Human. Maestro discusses how adding a horn player allowed him to explore slower, more sustained melodies and freed him compositionally. The quartet format also gave him the opportunity to take a back seat and delve deeper into the music. The band members took their time to develop their sound, experimenting and adapting the music to fit the different instrumentation. The album features compositions that were originally written for a trio but were adapted for the quartet, bringing a new dimension to the music. The title of the album, "Human," is meant to be open-ended and allow listeners to create their own meaning. The episode also explores the concept of blurring the lines between life and music, the profound understanding that develops between musicians who have played together for an extended period, the unique qualities of each musician in the band, and the experience of working with producer Manfred Eicher on an ECM album. The significant influence of Hank Jones and Charlie Haden on Maestro's new album is also discussed.
