Joys And Solitudes

Sometimes known as the Modern Times Trio, its programme here opens withDuke 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 ltered 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 Auditorio Stelio Molo RSI, in February 2018, and produced by Manfred Eicher.

Personnel: Yonathan Avishai: piano; Yoni Zelnik: double bass; Donald Kontomanou: drums