DUALITY | Michael Pignéguy & The Awakenings Ensemble

“This is unmistakably a drummer’s album, its chief asset being Pignéguy’s brilliance at the drum kit.”

— Eric Myers, Weekend Australian

“The latest offering from Perth jazz auteur Michael Pignéguy feels like a trip across the world from your own bedroom. The music is rich with surprises!”

— Brayden Edwards, X-Press Magazine

AU PRIVAVE | Michael Pignéguy Quartet 

"The first thing that really struck me was this beautiful Elvin'ish groove by Michael Pignéguy who clearly has evidence of the greats in his sound and playing . His original "Touch and Go", is very reminiscent of a 60s Blue Note era feeling tune. The group sounds comfortable and you would think this group were recording this live at a premier jazz club in NYC with the level of intensity that they embody in each track.” 

— ULYSSES OWENS Jnr., Online Review

SPEAK | The Awakenings Ensemble 

"Michael's music is infused by the sights and sounds of the region, reflected in rhythms, melodies and chords redolent of exotic voyages and movie scores.

'Street Dance' ('Tahrir') is a riotous assembly of sound launched
with plangent chords on keyboards and horns, rumbling toms and high wailing sax summoning the spirit of the souk.

'For Those Who Have Not', a lilting, yearning ballad, half lullaby, half lament for lost innocence.” 

— DAVID CUSWORTH, The West Australian

The SOUL JAZZ Experience! 

“Working in the kitchen of legendary American jazz composer Eddie Harris (1934-96), [Michael] began arranging a set of classic soul-jazz standards. Once he fell into the rhythm, Pignéguy was inspired to compose new material in this style. This material became a key component of the sextet’s touring repertoire and subsequently wowed audiences around Australia, New Zealand and ultimately in Los Angeles and New Orleans.” 

— IAN LILBURNE, X-Press Magazine

The Awakenings Ensemble

“The Awakenings Ensemble's music is moody atmospheric and almost cinematic." 

— KARIM SULTAN, Katara Arts Centre Director

"The Awakenings Ensemble is brilliantly original and atmospheric. The group's fusion of jazz, Arabic and electronic sounds awakens the senses!"

— Ohlala Magazine, Qatar

“It was truly one of the most sensational and creative performances we’ve seen this year.” 

— GEORGE NASRA, The Peninsula Newspaper, Qatar

"Leader and Australian composer and performer, Michael Pignéguy aka The Sound Sculptor of the Qatar Music Academy has worked with musicians from the top capitals of the world and the idea for the CD, ‘Speak’, was born early last year. This concert was a job brilliantly done by The Awakenings Ensemble”

- STAFF WRITER, The Peninsula, Qatar

“We are so excited to witness the birth of a truly new phenomenon, a genre of its own that amalgamates Western classical tradition with Arab Maqam and Jazz and are happy that this musical innovation is taking place in Doha!”

— JIMMY VON AREK, Qatar

Symphonic Arranger for BEN FOLDS

"Arranging for Ben Folds, international touring and working with Western Australian Symphony is all in a day's work for jazz drummer Michael Pignéguy."

— LARA HYAMS, Scene Magazine

FREMANTLE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL | 2003

“The entry point for the 2003 festival was on Friday night: the premiere of a commissioned work celebrating one of Western Australia's monumental heroes, the civil engineer C. Y. O'Connor. Best known for the construction of the golden pipeline (delivering much needed water from Mundaring to the Kalgoorlie goldfields), O'Connor was also a visionary in the creation of Fremantle Harbour. The composer charged with the task of paying tribute to O'Connor was Perth jazz musician Michael Pignéguy. An accomplished percussionist of international standing, Pignéguy drew on an exceptional palette of musical influences and expertise to engineer a 40-minute work named after the engineer that condensed O'Connor's life into four areas; Initiation, Success, Tragedy and Liberation.

Scored for a jazz orchestra that augmented a big-band line-up with strings, chorale and extended percussion section, Pignéguy skilfully deployed an enormous range of musical styles to create a homogenous work that allowed the audience to live each moment while keeping in mind the overall scope of the piece. With the spectacular new maritime museum as a backdrop, and embraced by the Fremantle Harbour, the opening concert was an unforgettable beginning.”

— RICHARD JOHN, The West Australian

“Opening on the Friday night with a piece commissioned by the Perth International Arts Festival to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of C.Y.O’Connor and the construction of his golden pipeline to Kalgoorlie, local jazz personality Michael Pignéguy lead his ensemble through 40 minutes of music, representing the life of O’Connor. Displaying both elements of swinging jazz and a more formal approach to composition, Pignéguy’s piece was to be the perfect representation of the divide between original/conservative jazz that the festival showcased.”

— JULIAN TOMPKIN

“Other highlights [of the Fremantle International JazzFestival] were Perth percussionist Michael Pignéguy’s commissioned 40-minute opus based on C.Y. O’Connor, the civil engineer responsible for taking water to remote parts of Western Australia.”

— STAFF WRITER, All About Jazz

Michael Pignéguy Sextet

"This group burns from the first note to the last. Their infectious presence has found a resonance with audiences around Australia as well as New Orleans, Los Angeles and across the Tasman. To witness the unit's live performance is to experience a rare synergy."

— Beat Magazine, Melbourne

PURE | Michael Pignéguy Sextet ft. DALE BARLOW

"MPS are a polished and comprehensive jazz outfit. This album is vibrant and voluptuous, a great listen with a life of it's own ... Pignéguy's drumming is prominent in nearly every track providing pulse and a sense of urgency, often tying together the horns and piano.” 

— NATHAN CRAWFORD-CONDIE, Beat Magazine, Melbourne, 2001

MPS Live | Michael Pignéguy Sextet

"MPS Live is a startling revelation and joy with an impressive combination of polish, verve and drive. There is enormous potential for this band." 

— MARTIN JACKSON, Soundscapes Magazine, Melbourne, 1998

“‘MPS Live' is a classic piece of instrumental majesty"

MICHELLE MANNING, X-press Magazine, 1997

“‘MPS Live' is simply marvellous. The music is of today, the recording quality is excellent and the spontaneity of the music really comes through."

PETER KENYON, The Jazz Web, 1998

Michael Pignéguy Sextet

“... utterly convincing ... Pignéguy showed compositional flair as well as a crisp touch behind the drum kit. The Sextet's blend of Hard Bop and Soul Jazz with more contemporary approaches was render with considerable technique and brio. Chris Greive improvised with uncommon grace and fluidity. Expect to hear more form these musicians in coming years."

— PETER JORDAN, Sydney Morning Herald

"Style is currency that Michael Pignéguy's Sextet has plenty of."

— CRAIG N PEARCE, Drum Media

"Of note last month was an East Coast tour by an outstanding line-up of Perth jazz talent who performed killer sets at both Bennett's Lane and the Litho Club in Melbourne. Look out for their next tour!”

— ANDREW ZEISS, Mixdown Monthly

"The Michael Pignéguy Sextet turned in a scintillating performance at the Perth Jazz Society last Monday. Their cohesion and stylistic understanding were apparent in the rousing opening number by Eddie Harris and appealing Pignéguy composition 'Jo'. Peter Jeavons has added a new dimension to the group, not only with his rock steady string bass but with his arrangements and compositions. His moody ballad 'Forlorn' featured the empathetic alto sax of Carl Mackey. The only veteran in the band, Russell Holmes, provided perceptive support and his solos by the energy and creativity of his young cohorts. Dave McGregor (trumpet) and Chris Greive (trombone) continue to impress with their abilities, challenging the best in the country on this showing."

— The West Australian, 1998.

Michael Pignéguy Sextet

"Australian jazz is at an exciting stage in its development and bands like the Michael Pignéguy Sextet are representative of the fact that the music is developing right across the country. The band's music is accessible and creative and involves some of the best young players from Western Australia."

— PAUL GRABOWSKY

"The Michael Pignéguy Sextet's Perth Jazz Society concert featured many superb performances and many of the leader’s lyrical compositions."

— LEW SMITH, The Sunday Times

"The Michael Pignéguy Sextet represents some of the finest young jazz musicians in Western Australia. Pignéguy's 'Term 17' is an outstanding composition."

— GARRY LEE, Australian Jazz & Blues Magazine

"Pignéguy is a gifted composer and arranger as well as an accomplished drummer." .

— RON MOREY, Arts West

"The Michael Pignéguy Sextet features strong solos, great writing... great textural elements reminiscent of Wayne Shorter."

— AKIRA TANA