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Ornig

Bassist & composer Iris Ornig is one of the most original female voices on today's New York jazz scene.

About Me

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, Mike Rodriguez, Rebecca Martin, Allison Miller, Sachal Vasandani, Helen Sung, Marcus Gilmore, Dan Tepfer, among others.

Ornig is a gifted instrumentalist, a talented composer, arranger and a charismatic performer.

Her compositions are swinging, stormy, melodic, sensitive, playful, angular and straight- ahead with plenty of twists and surprises.

Iris studied jazz and popular music in St. Gallen Switzerland and went from there to the well-known Guildhall School in Music and Drama in London to establish her musical skills.

She has performed at jazz clubs and festivals all over the United States, Europe and East Africa. She can be heard regularly at NYC’s top jazz clubs such as Blue Note, 55 Bar, Iridium, Zinc Bar and Jazz at Kitano. Iris Ornig is hosting every Monday the jam session at Jazz at Kitano - one of the best jazz clubs in New York City.

Iris Ornig finished her second album ‘No Restrictions’ featuring Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mike Rodriguez, Helen Sung and Marcus Gilmore.

Applauded for its fresh, of the moment compositions, “No Restrictions” highlights the members of the Iris Ornig quintet: Kurt Rosenwinkel on guitar, Mike Rodriguez on trumpet, Helen Sung on piano and Marcus Gilmore on drums in a mixed program of eight straight-ahead and contemporary jazz originals and two carefully-chosen covers.

My Jazz Story

I was first exposed to jazz by German radio host Joachim Ernst Berendt. The first jazz record I bought was Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis.