Matthew Ottignon - Volant
Matthew Ottignon's Volant is a Musical Ode to the Art of Flight
Out 26 July on Earshift Music
Matthew Ottignon (alto, tenor and baritone saxophone), Lauren Tsamouras (piano) Hannah James (bass) Holly Conner (drums)
From one of Australia’s most in-demand saxophonists, Matthew Ottignon comes a new ensemble and self-titled album Volant. The music effortlessly blends his spiritual jazz influences with the minimalist, introspective acoustic jazz that Australia is renowned for. Crafted amidst a period of solitude, Volant represents an ambitious step in Ottignon's artistic musical journey, drawing inspiration from birds in flight—a motif that ultimately defines the album's ethereal quality.
“It all comes down to sound…. you hear a life force fermenting in Matt Ottignon's tenor saxophone that can rear up like a tsunami or melt like chocolate.” Sydney Morning Herald, John Shand, ★★★★½
Although born in New Zealand, Ottignon has been a pivotal figure in Sydney's music scene for over 25 years. Volant presents a narrative of flight and freedom, and through meticulously crafted compositions, Ottignon makes space for both collective intention and expressive individuality. He shares “The essence of our music feels akin to the enchanting dance of birds in flight, creating otherworldly shapes, silhouetted against the night sky.” The track Murmuring is inspired by the creativity of their movements. Their synergy is not so dissimilar to the way improvisers create and react to the choices of others. The composition resulted from a series of layered improvisations that eventually settled into a final form.
Bassist Hannah James has previously collaborated with Ottignon and is known for her impressive ability to ground an ensemble with both her playing and overall confidence as a musician. 2022 Freedman Jazz Finalist Holly Connor, brings an appetite for innovation and creative ambition to Volant as a percussionist. Pianist Lauren Tsamouras adds sensitivity, subtle nuances and an openness towards experimentation. They meticulously honed the music through rehearsals and performances, letting the compositions naturally evolve.
With each track, a unique aspect of Ottignon's vision is encapsulated. Moon Rock reinterprets the spiritual jazz sound currently coming out of Los Angeles, while Naturis captures an eerie calm. The Third Bardo explores the effortlessness of ‘flow’ states, and Murmuring mimics the unpredictable yet harmonious flight patterns of starlings. Rocky Lux brings an evolving groove to the fore, Singing Bowls offers a moment of serenity, and Bilpin channels nature’s resilience after devastation. The album closes with Rolling and Circling, showcasing the ensemble's intensity and cohesiveness.
Reflecting on the genesis of Volant, Ottignon states, "This album comes from a time in my life when I suddenly had the space to truly explore my craft. It is hopeful music born out of a period of deep introspection, inspired by the countless sounds that have resonated with me over the years, including The Necks and John Coltrane."
Through Volant, Ottignon invites listeners on a journey that celebrates the beauty and intricacy of birds, both in their physical flight and as symbols of freedom and exploration in music. Volant is set to soar.
Artistic statement:
In 2006 while on holiday in my home country of New Zealand I visited the town of Opononi famous for Opo the Dolphin and grand sand dunes alongside the river. Sitting on a jetty at dusk I saw a lone seagull flying against the wind and was taken by the way it was able to just float above the water, gliding on the gusts. It was in motion but not actually moving in any direction. During the early writing phase, part of my process was to transcribe butcherbird songs, slow them down so that I could hear all the multiphonics and have it at a speed easier for a human ear to decode. I let the birds dictate the harmonic direction, melody and flow of the music. They led the music to a calmness of pace and thrilling lightness.
This is hopeful music born out of a period of deep introspection. There is a problem with who we choose to shoulder tap in important work. Fittingly, I have tried to rethink my process for choosing band members. It is a matter of constant good fortune that I have excellent and diverse musicians within reach in Sydney. Volant comprises three prolific and constantly impressive musicians. I thank them for trusting me with their time and craftsmanship.
About the music
Moon Rock
Pianist Jamael Dean had just released an album of high intensity Coltrane inspired jazz called ‘Oblivion’, and it certainly hit a chord with me. After jamming along with this on alto I recorded an improvisation of mine. It channelled the deeply emotional and at times very spiritual music coming out of the west coast of the USA as spearheaded by artists like Kamasi Washington. This piece seems to have a mind of its own and has evolved considerably.
Naturis
I really wanted to capture an eerie sense of calm with this piece, so we used paper laid across the strings of the piano to manipulate the sound.
The Third Bardo
There is a zone to strive for. Where things just become effortless and another force seems to take over.
Murmuring
Resulting from a series of layered improvisations eventually settling into a final composition, this music could be described as shimmering, with all three accompanying parts pulsating together like a murmuration of starlings. I love the way music can change shape effortlessly and unpredictably.
Rocky Lux
I just love the way this just grooves along and that intensity can build even as the music gets quieter.
Singing Bowls
A moment to breathe.
Bilpin
On a trip to Biplin, a town not far from Sydney, I saw the bushfire regrowth of forest along the ridges leading up to the blue mountains. A failed backburning attempt at Mount Wilson to contain the Gospers Mountain fire in 2019 resulted in catastrophe, wiping out much of the vegetation in Bilpin and destroying many properties. I was struck by the resilience of the land, and to see beautiful moss like regrowth on what looked like burnt out trunks. The sound of the baritone sax really channelled that feeling for me.
Rolling and Circling
This was built off a motif that I kept returning to, in the classic big tenor style, particularly inspired by the trio albums of J.D. Allen. Under this I envisaged pulsating waves of piano building to a crescendo. This piece eventually became one of the highlights of the set as it brought out some real intensity in all our playing.