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Yossi Itskovich: Times

By Chris May
July 11, 2023
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Trombonist and composer Yossi Itskovich is a relatively new arrival on the jazz scene, having only discovered the music in his mid-thirties and having up until then been part of the classical music world. Times is his debut album.

Like most debuts, the all-originals, seven-track album is a tad self-conscious and tries a bit too hard for its own good, but two tracks are real gems, demonstrating a real flair for arranging, and one is a perfect little treasure. The two tracks are "Yesterlives," a contrafact of Jerome Kern's "Yesterdays," and the album's closer, "Our Future," which channels the spirit of

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington's ballad writing for

Johnny Hodges

saxophone, alto
1907 - 1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnny Hodges but does so while reclothing both musicians in 2023 garb. It is the stone killer of the set. The instrumental stars of "Our Future" are pianist

Iannis Obolis

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Iannis Obolis, who adds some immaculate, subtly fast-forwarded Ellingtonia to the performance, and alto saxophonist

Sam Barnett

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Barnett, whose limpid, lustrous sound also lights up several other tracks on the album.

As for trying too hard, this concerns Itskovich's liner note saying his ambition is to "consolidate the gap" between jazz and classical music. Good luck with that. Meanwhile, "Yesterlives" and "Our Future" suggest Itskovich has something valuable to contribute to jazz. More please.

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Track Listing

Accordeon; 40 Years; Yo Si Que Si; Altars; Keith; Yesterlives; Our Future.

Personnel

Yossie Itskovich

trombone

Oscar Latorre

trumpet

Sam Barnett

saxophone, alto

Charley Rose

saxophone, tenor

Fabio Guovea

guitar

Iannis Obolis

piano

Nadav Erlich

bass

Marlon Juhasz

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Tatiana Nova: vocals (4).

Album information

Title: Times | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: YoSi Records

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