About
Shirdi is a boundary-crossing duo weaving a singular musical language at the intersection of East and West. Featuring bansuri player Ron “Shpatz” Cohen (a disciple of the legendary Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia) and virtuoso pianist Eden Giat, the duo fuses the intricate ragas of Hindustani classical music with the harmonic freedom of Jazz and the soulful traditions of Jewish piyut.
Since the release of their 2024 debut album, Shirdi has been exploring the rare chemistry between the organic bamboo flute and the expressive piano – moving seamlessly from tightly crafted original compositions to open, fluid improvisations, alongside reimagined classics from Jazz, Piyut, and Middle Eastern traditions. Their music is more than a fusion; it is an evolving dialogue that bridges ancient traditions with a contemporary global pulse.
Ron “Shpatz” Cohen
Bansuri Flutist
Ron “Shpatz” Cohen is a bansuri flutist and scholar dedicated to Hindustani classical music. A disciple of the legendary Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, he trained extensively in Mumbai, mastering the Indian bamboo flute alongside studies in vocal music and Tabla.
Recipient of prestigious scholarships for his cultural work, Ron has performed on major stages including the Israel Festival, alongside various international concerts abroad. He is a prominent educator, teaching at the Center for Music from the East in Jerusalem. Currently a PhD student, Ron continues to bridge musical traditions, blending his deep roots in Raga with Jazz and global influences.
Eden Giat
Pianist and Composer
Born in 1999 to a musical family, Israeli pianist and composer Eden Giat is a rising force in the global jazz and world music scenes. A former prodigy who performed with orchestras like the Israel Chamber Orchestra, Giat transitioned from a rigorous classical background to jazz, studying under mentors like Omri Mor and Benjamin Oren.
He has collaborated with legendary artists including Avishai Cohen (Bass), Omer Avital, Yemen Blues, and Shlomo Bar. Giat leads his own ensemble, blending tribal rhythms and Middle Eastern colors, as showcased on his 2021 debut album, Crossing the Red Sea and the 2025 release Eifo Halev.
Music
Shirdi | Debut Album
Shirdi is the debut collaboration between Bansuri flutist Ron “Shpatz” Cohen and Jazz pianist Eden Giat. This album is a profound inquiry into the fluid borders between musical civilizations, weaving the harmonic depth of Modern and Modal Jazz with the soul and intricacies of the Indian Raga and echoes of the Middle East.
Consisting mostly of original compositions by the duo, the album also incorporates new imaginings of John Coltrane’s "Lonnie’s Lament" alongside Middle Eastern works such as "Yerma" and "Tutam Yar Eldinen." Together, the duo explores a shared language where Western improvisation meets Eastern modal tradition. Shirdi is a meditative, cross-cultural journey, proving that the resonance of a single note can bridge continents.
