Bio

"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.

With the hard-rocking, Money Intense, the beautifully cruisy Strange People and the dubby title track, Culture Tunnels is a collection of rich and powerful music produced by some of Sydney's most inspiring musicians.

"Aronas is clearly one of the most dynamic groups to have emerged on the Australian live scene ." Drum Media [AUS] 26/04/05

Featuring the incomparable talents of Aron Ottignon (Paul Capsis, Tina Harrod) on keys, Dave Symes (Prop, Jackie Orszaczky) on bass, Evan Mannell on drums and Josh Green (Pablo Percusso) on percussion, the band draw on varied and strong influences from Rock, Soul, Electonica and Funk.

Aron Ottignon is one of New Zealand's finest Jazz Musicians and was awarded the 2003 Bells Award Best Young Jazz Musician of the Year. Starting his career at a young age, by the time he was 11, Aron had won the award for New Zealand's Most Outstanding Jazz Musician under the age of 25 and went on to record with his own jazz trio at the age of 14. Aron re-located to Australia from New Zealand at the age of 17.

Band Members:
Aron Ottignon (grand piano)
David Symes (bass)
Evan Mannell (drums)
Josh Green (percussion)
Bob Scott (mix)