Joys And Solitudes Yonathan Avishai

• 1Mood Indigo05:45
• 2Song For Anny07:03
• 3Tango07:37
• 4Joy05:54
• 5Shir Boker04:26
• 6Lya04:29
• 7When Things Fall Apart12:17
• 8Les pianos de Brazzaville06:30
• Total Runtime54:01

Info for Joys And Solitudes

Israeli-French pianist Yonathan Avishai has made important contributions to the music of Avishai Cohen, as documented on Into The Silence and Cross My Palm With Silver. In parallel, over the last five years, he has been developing his own project with the trio heard here, with Paris-based Israeli bassist Yoni Zelnik and Donald Kontomanou, French drummer of Guinean and Greek heritage. Sometimes known as the Modern Times Trio, its programme here opens with Duke Ellington’s “Mood Indigo”: “Ellington is still a thoroughly modern pianist and composer,” Yonathan Avishai muses. In the original pieces that follow, Avishai makes references to a broad range of musics and experiences. “Les pianos de Brazzaville” recalls his journeys to the Republic of the Congo.

“Tango” is a creative response to hearing Dino Saluzzi and Anja Lechner’s Ojos Negros. “When Things Fall Apart” is inspired by the compositions of Avishai Cohen.

Such diverse influences are filtered through Yonathan’s tradition-conscious piano playing, alert to old values of blues feeling and swing yet also strikingly original in its decisiveness and concision. Joys and Solitudes was recorded at Lugano’s Auditiorio Stelio Molo RSI, in February 2018, and produced by Manfred Eicher.

Yonatan Avishai, piano
Yoni Zelnik, bass
Donald Kontomanou, drums

Yonatan Avishai
One of the most talented musician from the new Israeli jazz scene, French-Israeli piano player Yonathan Avishai's talent was first discovered through the band Third World Love that he cofounded with trumpet player Avishai Cohen, bass player Omer Avital and drummer Daniel Freedman (five albums). Born and raised in Tel Aviv, he often accompanied touring American musicians such as Walter Blanding Jr. and Marcus Printup and was part of Arnie Lawrence's Ensemble. He is currently living in France. A regular member of the Omer Avital Quintet, he often performs with the band The Three Cohens.

"Yonathan is one of those rare musicians who are totally unpredictable... He always gives the feeling that he is completely free and able to approach everything he plays as a game." (Yaron Herman, pianist)

"Yonathan is one of my favorite musicians alive, and his voice needs to be heard. His music is deep and soulful, different than anything you might have heard. Please support by donating and sharing this." (Avishai Cohen, trumpeter)

Booklet for Joys And Solitudes