A Soaring Night of Modern Jazz by Matthew Ottignon

The recent performance by Matthew Ottignon and his quartet Volant was an exhilarating journey through sound energy and emotion. From the opening notes the ensemble captivated the audience with music that moved effortlessly between power and grace drawing listeners into an atmosphere of both freedom and focus.

Led by one of Australia’s most in demand saxophonists Ottignon guided the group with his fiery tenor tone and boundless imagination. His playing carried echoes of jazz greats such as John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders yet his voice remained distinctly his own grounded in a modern sensibility that celebrated both tradition and innovation.

The music flowed from moments of anthemic strength to passages of delicate lyricism. Hayley Hannah and Lauren brought a deep sense of cohesion and artistry to the performance their interplay with Ottignon creating textures that were at once intimate and expansive. Each musician contributed to a sound that shimmered with clarity and emotion.

Drawing inspiration from the flight of birds Volant’s music captured an ethereal sense of movement and release. The audience felt the impression of flight not merely as an image but as an experience rising and gliding through sound and silence.

The quartet’s original compositions and improvised dialogue revealed their shared intuition and collective freedom. Every piece seemed to breathe on its own evolving naturally and unpredictably like air currents carrying both power and calm.

With this performance Volant affirmed its place as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary Australian jazz. The evening was a celebration of creativity and connection a reminder of how music can lift both players and listeners into a shared moment of exhilaration.