AATJJB

Aron & The Jeri Jeri Band (A&TJJB) are a melting pot of cross cultural sounds, at the core of which is Mbalax, with a seasoning of Afrobeat, Afrofunk and Jazz.

The brainchild of pianist, composer and producer Aron Ottignon and sabar percussionist Bakane Seck, their debut album to be released via Urban Trout / Modulor in 2023 is music for the soul and the dancefloor, blending African rhythms with jazz and electronic influences to create a sound that is both modern and timeless.
Aron Ottignon is no stranger to the music scene, the New Zealand born pianist caught the attention of Blue Note and Universal Music record labels and in early 2000’s he released a string of jazz albums to critical acclaim, as a composer he collaborated with Stromae on the global chart topper “Papaoutai”, he has toured the world with Woodkid and collaborated with many other musicians including Electric Wire Hustle, Louane, Broken Back, Empire Of the Sun, Myele Manzanza. Senegalese Griot, Bakane Seck has been playing music since before he was born, his mastery of the Sabar (percussion instrument) has seen him tour the world with icons of the African music industry Youssou N’Dour and Baaba Maal. He is the founder and frontman of the Jeri Jeri Band.
Seck met Ottignon in Berlin in 2019, introduced by a traditional sabar dance teacher. Ottignon began working on two demos for an international album, Mama Djuma and Teddoungal, fusing traditional Senegalese sounds with modern production techniques. They both knew they had found the perfect match and that this was just the beginning of their musical journey together. Ottignon draws inspiration in the music of legendary jazz pianists like Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Bill Evans, and Keith Jarrod. His music is deeply rooted in rhythm and groove. The meeting with Bakane has led the group to create an album which is a contemporary fusion of jazz, electronic, and West African music that transcends traditional genre labels, explores new sounds and pushes the boundaries of what's possible in music. The messages behind the music are ones of optimism, hope for future generations, progress, and positive change.
“Through this music, I hope to promote a better understanding of Senegalese culture and the important role that music plays as a bridge between different cultures and traditions. It's important to recognise that what is considered "normal" in one culture is not necessarily better or worse than what is considered normal in another. Education and understanding are key to appreciating and celebrating our differences. We are all unique, and this music serves as a vessel to promote acceptance and celebration of our differences.” - Ottignon

With just a few shows in Dakar under their belt Aron and the Jeri Jeri Band, the group has become known for their electrifying performances.

Guardian Review - 8/10  "Homesick, Electronically adventurous Seneglese Blues featuring Baaba Maal. The title means "I want To go Home" and this is exiles music, splicing the African and European sides of Senegal's diaspora. The pandemic trapped griot Bahkane Seck in Berlin, where sessions with Similarly stranded compatriots were led by New Zealand born producer / keyboardist Aron Ottignon. Mbalax, Afrobeat, dub reggae and Ottignon's Blue note jazz pianist past combine in skeletal electronic arrangements, spectral singers flitting past, while Baaba Maal's voice is at its sweetest on 'Teddounal'. 'Strange People' starts with percussion informally taped on Senegals' Saloum river, a female vocal glowing in the heart hazed ambience of ottignon subsequent production. Seck's reverberant Sabar drums and plantative voice earth the explorations.