Iris Ornig

‘...Iris Ornig is the real deal and No Restrictions easily hits my best 2012 list.’ - Brent Black (Critical Jazz)

‘...This is a gem of a CD in every respect.’ - Ken Franckling’s Jazz Notes 

‘... No Restrictions is a confident statement from a young talent who showed much promise during my survey of special women jazz instrumentalists three years ago. Iris Ornig is delivering her promise.’- Victor Aaron (Something Else)

Iris Ornig is a gifted instrumentalist, a talented composer....

Photo: Daisuke, Yoshi and myself on the Yacht 'Atlantica'

Iris Ornig is a gifted instrumentalist, a talented composer and a charismatic performer. Her compositions are swinging, stormy, melodic, sensitive, playful, angular and straight-ahead with plenty of twists and surprises. Iris is originally from Germany.

She 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. In 2003 she moved to New York City where she is working as an arranger, composer and bandleader. 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 55 Bar, Garage and in February at the Kitano. Since arriving in New York, Iris has had the pleasure to work with such jazz notables as Gretchen Parlato, Danny Grissett, Gene Jackson, Tony Jefferson, Rebecca Martin, Sachal Vasandani, Joel Frahm, Cecilia Coleman, Allison Miller, Roberta Picket, Stacey Dillard, Klaus Mueller. Iris is also an active teacher and clinician. She currently teaches private lessons and ensembles.

Iris Ornig Quartet,
Live at Zinc Bar on 3/10/2010,
Mike Rodriguez on trumpet,
Danny Grissett on Fender Rhodes,
Iris Ornig on bass/ composition,
Chris Benham on drums