aron ottignon trio

it's been a long time between seeing and writing
but for the sake of completeness a review is required
actually it's more because of a memorable bit of music
i hadn't actually intended in attending at this performance
but driving past the venue at the right time forced a change
i had a feeling i would be in time to catch the second set
and sure enough i walked into a sound lounge relaxing between sets
quite a decent sized audience and one other lone chap seated down front
a spare seat at his table and no problem with him as i asked permission
then a brief q&a session on the merits of the first set - not too bad
but the excitement was being held in check for the second set's treat
a steel drum player by the name of sam dubois joining the trio
led by highly respected young gun aron ottignon on piano
tonight there is another surprise in the trio's lineup
the rhythm department not at all as promised in the program
a little bit disconcerting as the advised drummer always turns it on
simon barker does no wrong in this fans ears so a disappointment there
still - i'm only there on a whim really so no right to complain
the first tune of the first set and it does sound a real treat
the steel drum sound mixed in precisely with the piano
sam dubois standing with a twin steel drum on a stand
playing it so fluently pulling a huge array of notes
and therefore able to harmonise with the piano nicely
apparantly pianist and steel drummer play together quite often
in various lineups back in their current home country of the u k
this is yet another case of jazz music heading off in another direction
a clever combination of usually quite disparate instruments
then to add to the mix brother matt ottignon is invited on stage
he also has a big reputation as being a leading light in melbourne
regarded as one of the better sax players based in that town
tonight he lets fly with some very melodic tenor sax playing
so between the 3 stars and the capable rhythm section it's all good
the combined sound quite unusual, quite loud, and quite enjoyable
though i must admit by the end of the set i'd heard enough
the steel drum sound is quite unique and quite dominating
despite some expert playing it is a bit one-dimensional
so maybe why it has been restricted to one set tonight
lucky me able to see that set in it's entirety
a quick chat with my namesake at the table
then out and continuing the drive south
tuned into some jazz on local fm radio
while driving through the national park
all in all a very enjoyable night