Meet Shahar Amdor

We recently connected with Shahar Amdor and have shared our conversation below.

Shahar, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I try to include as many diverse and meaningful experiences in my life as possible — getting out of the house, meeting new people, and exploring new places. It’s inspiring to step into someone else’s world and absorb their thoughts, landscapes, and emotions. That kind of openness fuels the urge to create.

For me, creativity is a mindset — it’s about making meaning, bringing light, and staying in motion.

To keep that creative drive alive, I focus on continuing to create rather than waiting around for inspiration to strike. Because when I wait too long for inspiration, I end up thinking more than doing — and creativity thrives on doing.

It’s all about balance: being aware of how much time I spend thinking versus how much I actually create.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a saxophone and flute player, composer, and improviser working at the intersection of genres — blending instrumental music, jazz, elements of contemporary classical, and even hints of mainstream pop. My goal is to create music that feels emotionally rich and accessible, yet still pushes creative boundaries.

At the core of my work is a desire to help people connect more deeply with themselves. I try to create an atmosphere where complexity and simplicity meet — where both musicians and non-musicians can feel something real. Whether I’m improvising live or releasing a carefully crafted track, I strive to keep the experience honest, emotional, and open.

This summer I’m joining bassist Mohini Dey on tour across Europe and North America — with shows at Ronnie Scott’s in London, San Jose Jazz Fest, and Alba Jazz Festival in Italy. I also recently released a new single called Pink Times, which leans into that balance of nuance and accessibility I’m always looking for. More new music is on the way — I’m excited to keep sharing.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three most important qualities in my journey have been curiosity, resilience, and authenticity.

Curiosity kept me open — always searching, always asking questions, always exploring new sounds and ideas. It pushed me to blend genres and break rules in a way that feels true to who I am.

Resilience helped me stick with it through the hard parts — rejection, uncertainty, and long periods of not knowing what comes next. Music careers are never linear, and staying the course made all the difference.

Authenticity is what makes it all matter. Being honest in my sound, my writing, and my playing helps me connect with others. I think people feel it when you’re not pretending.

My advice: stay open, keep showing up, and don’t wait for permission to be yourself. The rest unfolds from there

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

The most important thing is to try and stay true to what you love, and dive into it fully. There’s always something new to discover — whether it’s a skill, a subtle detail, or a deeper layer that reveals itself the more you explore.

For example, I always wanted to sing, but I was afraid of it for a long time. Even singing alone felt emotionally overwhelming. But once I started doing it, I realized how much it helped me — not just vocally, but in understanding how to shape a melody, how powerful words can be, and how to connect more deeply with the music. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way and kept me sharp and curious.

Everything is connected — skills feed into each other in surprising ways. Just make sure you truly love what you’re doing. That’s what keeps it alive.

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Image Credits

Jason Lehel

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