Aronas: Culture Tunnels

Herald rating: * * *

Australians are already claiming pianist Aron Ottignon as their own, but before he left here a few years ago as a 17-year-old jazz prodigy he had played the traps, won awards and recorded an album.

Now established in Sydney and with the award for best young musician of 2003 (and playing at Russell Crowe's wedding) behind him, he here fronts his own energetic 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 the 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.

Aronas play Aotea Square at noon today and have other dates in the next few days. Check them out, because this is an impressive and diverse calling card.

Label: Vitamin