Iris Ornig at 55 Bar

Bassist & composer Iris Ornig is one of the most original female voices on today's New York jazz scene. Since her arrival in New York City in 2003 from Germany, she has played with an impressive roster of some of the most influential contemporary jazz musicians in New York including Gretchen Parlato, Ambrose Akinmusire, Joel Frahm, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Michael Rodriguez, Rebecca Martin, Allison Miller, Sachal Vasandani, Helen Sung, Marcus Gilmore, Dan Tepfer, among others.

Iris Ornig was a huge fan of Michael—and she still is! He was truly a master of his style of music, as well as a supremely creative dance innovator. ...

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Bassist & composer Iris Ornig is one of the most original female voices on today's New York jazz scene. Since her arrival in New York City in 2003 from Germany, she has played with an impressive roster of some of the most influential contemporary jazz musicians in New York including Gretchen Parlato, Ambrose Akinmusire, Joel Frahm, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Michael Rodriguez, Rebecca Martin, Allison Miller, Sachal Vasandani, Helen Sung, Marcus Gilmore, Dan Tepfer, among others.

Iris Ornig was a huge fan of Michael—and she still is! He was truly a master of his style of music, as well as a supremely creative dance innovator.

Beginning of 2015 Iris decided to work on arrangements of Michael’s hit songs to honor his creative spirit through jazz. She began to twist tunes, shift rhythms, explode arrangements and explore new harmonies. It was a real challenge for her as a musician, composer and arranger. Her goal was to interpret Michael’s music in brand new ways to honor the “King of Pop”, as a jazz artist.

Iris's intent is to interpret the music in new ways to honor "King of Pop" Michael Jackson, as only a jazz artist can. She twists tunes, shifts rhythms, explodes arrangements and explores new harmonies. The band consists of Jeremy Powell on tenor, Matt Holmanon trumpet, Addison Frei piano and Ronen Itzikon drums.

‘Iris Ornig is able to accurately capture Jackson's ingenuity in crafting infectious melodies that also are deceptively simple. Iris Ornig has infused Michael’s hit songs with a solid jazz sensibility and improvisational rigor. Doing so she has not fallen in the trap many do when they reinterpret pop music, namely creating insipid and safe atmospheric instrumentals. This is a superb effort that fuses her respect for Jackson's artistry and her own creative energy without making compromises. (Hrayr Attrarian – Jazz Journalist)

Website:
http://www.irisornig.com

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