2016 1st Prize Jazz: Shai Golan | VEA Competition

2016 1st Prize Jazz: Shai Golan

Shai GolanShai Golan is an Israeli saxophonist currently residing in New York.  Shai started his musical endeavors on piano, and then switched to clarinet followed by the saxophone once he moved to California at 10 years old.  A distinguished young artist, Shai has performed with Benny Golson, David Liebman, David Binney, John Daversa, the CBDA All-California Jazz Band, the SCSBOA Jazz Band, the LAUSD Jazz Band, the CSUN Jazz ‘A’ Band,  the MSM Jazz Philharmonic, the Tom Kubis Big Band, and many more.  Shai is currently working on his Master’s Degree in Jazz Arts at the Manhattan School of Music.  He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance from California State University Northridge in May, 2015.  Shai plans on pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Jazz Pedagogy to become a professor in a collegiate music program.