Avinoam Ettun releases debut EP

Israeli composer and guitarist Avinoam Ettun, now based in New York, has built an impressive career playing and recording with prominent figures in the Israeli and European jazz scenes. His collaborations include notable musicians such as Hans-Peter Salentin, Nadav Asaf, and Daniel Schwarzwald and his work spans beyond music to include partnerships with poets, painters, and dancers.

Ettun’s versatility and innovative spirit shine in his latest release, Searching for Colors, an EP that showcases his compositions for a string quartet and a jazz ensemble. This release is inspired by a mix of influences, including Alexander Scriabin, Bill Evans, Jim Hall and Claude Debussy.

Searching for Colors presents a stunning blend of jazz and classical elements, stitching together a vibrant fabric of sound that reflects Ettun’s journey in constructing a personal musical language. The EP features compositions for a large ensemble, including a string section, horn section and rhythm section, integrating improvised sections with intricately orchestrated moments.

This interplay creates a listening experience that’s at once intellectually impressive and emotionally engaging. Across the four tracks, Avinoam Ettun offers the perfect snapshot of his recorded sound via a varied yet cohesive blend of instrumental compositions.

Opened by “A Tale of Three Balloons,” the delicate swell of orchestral tones gently glide into place as a lilting combination of strings, horns, flutes and guitars softly overlap to form an elegantly swaying piece. With a dazzling blend of melody and harmony, the first track offers a transportive experience that tumbles together in spectacular form and delicately rises throughout.

“The World Needs Healing” injects an instant groove with the shuffle of drums and pulse of plucked double bass being met by Avinoam’s intricate flutters of lead guitar. It’s a playful piece that immediately demonstrates the range of music on the EP as the artist gradually introduces more instrumental elements to dance above the steady rhythm to deliver over seven and a half minutes of forward-thinking jazz-inflected composition.

With “Ear Illusion,” the soft tones of piano are met with the gentle plucks of acoustic guitar to craft a balletic dance between the two instruments, before the full arrangement builds up to take the listener on an expressive and uplifting musical journey. From the soft flicker of flutes to the warm tone of brass, it’s a superb piece that flows so beautifully from start to finish.

Closing the EP with “Melodically Involved,” the slowly swaying hushed melodies and brushes of percussion set up a hypnotic and spellbinding experience. Picking up pace, the track transitions into a bouncy jazz jam brimming with twists and turns, providing for an engaging and surprising finale to Avinoam Ettun’s sensational debut EP.

Commenting on the release, he shares, “I never write near the guitar. Instead, I compose near the piano and try to stay accurate to the sounds I hear in my head. Sometimes I hear a whole orchestra, which is my biggest challenge as a guitar player.”

Listen to Searching for Colors below