Aronas - The Program Live Review
02 Jun 2005 // A review by aronas
The Program
Live Reviews
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MUSIC :: Aronas CD Launch
By Sally Brand
NSW | 27.04.2005
"Too good to be true.
On Friday 15 April 2005, Sydney instrumental band Aronas revealed their new album Culture Tunnels on the stage at the Newtown RSL.
Aronas is a quartet of two drummers, Evan Mannel and Josh Green, bass player Dave Symes and leading pianist Aron Ottignon. Decked out in matching jumpsuits, the gig began with the two drummers taking the stage and setting up the dual beat. It was impressive. They explain that "The two-drum format allows Aronas to create its unique african and cross-polynesian rhythms in a jazz mode... in a way that speaks to both jazz aficionados and the dance informed contempary audience."
And there was no denying that Aronas really spoke to their audience. Beginning with laid back tunes, the set rumbled and exploded into a dancing frenzy and the audience were keen, jumping from their seats to take to the dance floor. The talents of these jazz musicians was bursting at the seams, songs changing directions every couple of moments, but always still keeping it together.
This was a super fun gig. It had everything from chilled out tunes to great dance music, comfy chairs and Retro furnishing, a pumping dance floor when you wanted it, and lots of drummers (at the very end of the set three more drummers took to the stage!). I sure won't miss Aronas' next Sydney gig.
For upcoming tour dates and more info on the band check out the Aronas website."
http://www.theprogram.net.au/reviewsSub.asp?id=2358&state=1
About Aronas
"Australians are already claiming pianist Aron Ottignon as their own, but before he left a few years ago as a 17 year old jazz prodigy he had played the traps, won awards and recorded an album. Now establisheed in Sydney and with the award for best young musician 0f 2003 (and playing at Russel Crow's wedding) behind him, he here fronts his own energeyic band on a free-ranging collection of jazz with its feet in Latin-funk (the wiry and fiery opener Burn For Me), soundtrack balladry (the lovely Strange People), ambient art music (the first half of lengthy You Little Beauty), Passages of what might be called experimental music (the opening of Cabernet), and some romantic classical flourishes. The band line-up is unusual(piano, bass and two or three drummers/percussionists) but that makes sense when the energy levels rise and some quasi-polynesian elements are added. Ideas emerge, are dealt with then left behind for another - but over repeated listening that becomes the charm and seduction." NZ Hearald Review by Graham Reid May '05.
Aronas is the project of the New Zealand born, award-winning musician Aron Ottignon. Dubbed as 'punk jazz" Aronas is an explosive combination of live dance, jazz and South Pacific-influenced grooves.
"Culture Tunnels" is the first recording by Aronas and presents Aron's original compositions in a way that will invigorate dance music audiences with its driving rhythms and grooves whilst continuing to impress the jazz lover.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Aronas