ARON OTTIGNON is a young, dynamic pianist, composer and band-leader. With a musical family supporting him all the way – his father a jazz saxophonist, his grandmother a world-touring harpist and pianist and his 2 brothers and sister all music professionals it was no wonder that ARON was just 11 when he won the ‘Most Outstanding Jazz Musician under 25’ in his native New Zealand.  By 14 he was recording with his own trio. There was upheaval – his family relocated to Sydney. Undaunted - in 2003 he took out the Bells Award for Best Young Jazz Musician !! – and was special guest at the renowned Monterey Jazz Festival.

       In 2005 he released his debut CD with his band ARONAS. Following critical acclaim and an ARIA nomination for the ARONAS CD – CULTURE TUNNELS – Aron relocated to London to secure release in the UK and beyond.
He was invited to showcase at MIDEM ’06 in Cannes: He has set audiences on fire from Denmark (Roskilde Festival) to Portugal (FMM in Sines); from London (London Jazz Festival & EAST Festival) to Sydney (Jazz Now @ The Opera House); from Auckland (The Famous Spiegeltent @ AK ’07)  via Shanghai (Glamour Bar @ M on the Bund) to Paris (Jazz à St Germain des Près and jazz à La Défense)  - and more!

     He has already earned high praise from some leading jazz critics (Stuart Nicholson here in the UK – and John Shand in Sydney and last year Aron was short-listed for the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Composer’s Award – a prestigious award and true recognition of his skill in composition.
2008 and more great shows – another MIDEM showcase, a return visit to Monaco for a short season (following a triumphant appearance at the Casino for the Monaco Jazz Festival (and yes….there were royals in the sell-out crowd !!)), an appearance at the famous Blue Note Jazz Festival in Paris and summer festival appearances in France and the Big Chill in England. This fall there’s dates in Croatia, Poland and a repeat performance at Rhino Jazz – and yet another return to the Casino in Monte Carlo !!

Although ARONAS is his ongoing project, ARON also performs as a soloist: as a duo with his sister, Holly O  - a truly gifted vocalist (but that’s another story !!) and with The Aron Ottignon Trio.
He is also a prolific composer and is currently writing material for Holly – and co-writing with Seiji (Bugs in the Attic, Roisin Murphy) – as well as preparing compositions for his second ARONAS CD.