The Central Focus Trio of Atlanta, Georgia consists of pianist Nick Rosen, bassist Nadav Spiegelman, and drummer Justin Chesarek. The group features a modern swinging sound informed by the great piano trios of the past such as Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson, and Bill Evans. Past performances at notable Jazz venues including Churchill Grounds in Atlanta and B Sharp’s Jazz Café in Tallahassee, Florida have proved the group worthy of attention. Their repertoire consists mainly of original compositions and Jazz standards as well as Israeli music performed in a Jazz context. In the upcoming months the trio will release their first studio album, In Transition. The debut release will feature compositions such as Dodd’s Dissension by Chesarek, In Transition by Rosen, and How Deep Is The Ocean? by Irving Berlin.


Nick Rosen is a multi-talented pianist and keyboardist from Miami, Florida. Over the past 10 years, Nick has strived to work with as many artists in as many genres as possible. During his time in college at the Florida State University, Nick was afforded the time to work with Marcus Roberts, whose stint with the Wynton Marsalis quartet in the 80's has been called one of the greatest jazz groups ever assembled. Nick also studied under the tutalige of Bill Peterson, Rodney Jordan and Leon Anderson Jr., all accomplished musicians in their own rights. While in school, Nick frequently performed with the Leon Anderson group, Bill Kennedy, Mariano Rodriguez, Daniel James and the Revelation Choral, the Will Goble group, Avis Berry, and others. After college he returned to his hometown of Miami where he worked consistently in jazz and instrumental music while working with local artists such as Ike and Val Woods, Studio 1, steel pan artist Leon "Foster" Thomas and much more. At various times in his career, Nick has performed with Roland Guerrin, Jason Marsalis, Wycliffe Gordon, Wessel "Warmdaddy" Anderson, Chaka Kahn, Todd Williams, and others. Nick currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia where he performs frequently with Julie Dexter, Justin Chesarek and others and venues across town as well as venues around the country.

A native of Israel, bassist Nadav Spiegelman moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2001. He is pursuing a Music B.A. at Florida State University where his teachers include Rodney Jordan and Marcus Roberts. While in Atlanta, Nadav studied with Douglas Sommer of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Kevin Bales. Nadav has also performed with or received instruction from: Leon Anderson, Russell Malone, Johnny O'Neil, Kinah Boto, Wynton Marsalis, Richard Davis, Rufus Reid, and others.

Justin Chesarek of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania became interested in music in the fifth grade. Justin’s first public performances in local night clubs were abundant before reaching into his teenage years. During high school, Justin attended the Pennsylvania Governors School for the Arts and shared the stage with musicians from Africa and Europe. While earning a Bachelors of Music Education degree at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Justin traveled abroad and performed at the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals in Europe. Justin’s performance history has logged shows with Wynton Marsalis, John Faddis, Dave Samuels, Gary Smulyan, Michael Mossman, and Conrad Herwig. Currently, Justin is furthering his education as a Graduate Student of Jazz Studies at Georgia State University while performing regularly in the city of Atlanta. Justin can be heard every Wednesday night with his own group at Atlanta’s finest Jazz Club, Churchill Grounds.