From the Vault: The XJAZZ Sessions (2017) – A Tribute to Risk-Taking
Why I sat on this footage for 9 years, the technical "impossible task" of the Team Aquatic trio, and why we must fight for the future of Berlin’s jazz scene.
I’ve been sitting on this footage for nearly a decade. For a long time, I didn't think it was "good enough" to release. I was caught in a loop of imposter syndrome. Focusing on the rough edges, the technical slips, and the "silly" way I talk into the mic between songs. I wanted perfection, so I kept it locked away.
But looking back today, I realise that the "imperfections" are exactly what make it real.
I’ve decided to release this concert completely unedited.. It is a 1:1 capture of three musicians trying to survive a complex set in the moment. It is raw, it is loud, and it is honest.
Why Now? The Fight for XJAZZ Berlin
I am releasing this archive today in solidarity with the XJAZZ Berlin team. As many of you know, the 2026 festival has been forced to cancel due to a crushing bureaucratic failure in Germany. Read more here
XJAZZ gave me a platform to take risks when the industry was telling me to "play it safe." They book based on art, not just "numbers." Seeing a German Jazz Prize-winning festival driven out of existence by administrative silence is heartbreaking. We cannot let these spaces disappear.
Music Technique.
Performing the Team Aquatic album as a trio was a technical puzzle. Ideally, this music requires 5 people. My label at the time suggested I play solo. Essentially "DJing" my own tracks. I couldn't do it. I fought for a band.
We had to make 3 people sound like 5:
- Jose Joyette (Drums + SPD Bass): Jose had the hardest job. Since we had no bassist, I mapped all the bass lines onto two SPD-S pads. Jose had to play full drums while simultaneously triggering every bass note. It was a mental marathon.
- Samuel Dubois (Steel Drums + Pan-KAT): Sam managed a massive rig of Guinea long drums, bongos, and the Pan-KAT (a MIDI steel pan) for those synth textures.
- The Piano Rig: I had a drum machine and effects unit on the Grand Piano. live-mixing drum machine beats in real-time.
How You Can Support the Vision
Urban Trout is more than just a label; it’s a community. We are currently building our Artist Residency in Le Dorat, France, and every release we put out fuels that dream.
1. Stand with XJAZZ If you have five minutes, please email the Berlin Senator for Culture. Let them know that XJAZZ matters to the global music community.
- Senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson: post@kultur.berlin.de
- Cultural Administration: post@kultur.berlin.de
2. Spread the Word Forward this email to a friend who loves raw, live music. We are building something different here at Urban Trout, and we’re glad you’re with us.
The Trio: Aron Ottignon (Piano/Electronics) Samuel Dubois (Steel Drums/Pan-KAT) Jose Joyette (Drums/SPD Bass)
All songs composed by Aron Ottignon. Original studio album available on Blue Note.
https://www.discogs.com/release/11122914-Aron-Ottignon-Team-Aquatic
Have a great week.
And thanks for the read
Aron