Shai Jaschek is an Israeli-born guitarist, composer and music educator based in New York City. He began playing guitar at age 10 and later studied at the Jazz Institute at the Rimon School of Music and the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.
During his studies, Jaschek worked with musicians including trumpeter Avishai Cohen, saxophonist Eli Degibri and composer Yoni Rechter. He also performed with ensembles including the Haifa Big Band and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. He later formed his own band to perform his original compositions at clubs and festivals in Israel and abroad.
Jaschek moved to New York City to pursue graduate studies and become part of the city’s jazz scene. In 2021, he earned a master’s degree in music from Queens College, where the faculty included Antonio Hart, Mike Moreno, David Berkman and Michael Mossman.
Since moving to New York, Jaschek has performed throughout the city as both a bandleader and sideman.
His debut album, First Fall, was released in October 2023 and featured his original compositions.
Jaschek’s second album, Portrait, is his first release for Jazz Bird Records. Recorded at EastSide Sound in New York, the album features Jaschek with bassist Joe Martin and drummer Kush Abadey and consists of nine original compositions: “Birmingham After Dark,” “When the Sun Came Out,” “June 27th,” “How Much Longer,” “Two Chords Song,” “May Flowers,” “Stomping with Pitzi,” “Hymn for Peace” and “Poem.”
Portrait will be released October 9, 2026.