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Ari Roland

Ari Roland (bass) was born and raised in New York City. He began playing bass at the age of 12 and was working professionally by age 16. He studied at The Juilliard School and has played in the bands of jazz legends such as Lou Donaldson, Barry Harris and Betty Carter. Sketches From a Bassist's Album, his recent CD on Smalls Records, has received widespread critical acclaim.

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31
Album Review

Alexander Brott: The Aesthetic Attitude

Read "The Aesthetic Attitude" reviewed by Jack Bowers


For guitarist Alexander Brott, the coronavirus pandemic that arrived in 2020 and led to the closing of most indoor venues, jazz and otherwise, was not all bad. With gigs almost non-existent, it gave the Swedish-born, Canadian-based and former New York City mainstay a chance to kick back, relax and start writing. He did so from his rooftop while listening to favorite composers such as Tadd Dameron, Duke Ellington, Elmo Hope, Mary Lou Williams, Thelonious Monk and others. After only a ...

1
Album Review

Samara Joy: Samara Joy

Read "Samara Joy" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Samara Joy. Segnatevi il nome perché la giovanissima cantante di New York è destinata a un brillante futuro. Questo disco d'esordio—registrato nell'ottobre 2020 a 22 anni—conferma le doti per cui ha vinto il Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition del 2019. Samara Joy è un naturale talento dal timbro luminoso, che rinnova con grazia e freschezza i classici standard del suo repertorio. Ha splendide doti vocali ma non cerca di stupire con inutili forzature e rilegge la ...

5
Live Review

New York Nights At Birdland Theater And Mezzrow

Read "New York Nights At Birdland Theater And Mezzrow" reviewed by Martin McFie


On West 44th street in midtown Manhattan, Johnny Valenti recently inaugurated the new Birdland Theater, which has been built downstairs, below his Birdland club. The seating is arranged with two chairs at each round table, the rearmost of which are high tops, ensuring a clear view of the well lit stage from every table in the room. The sound system is crystal clear and sharp completing this top quality live jazz venue which is decorated in hotel chic style.

193
Album Review

Ari Roland: And so I lived in old New York

Read "And so I lived in old New York" reviewed by Terrell Kent Holmes


The great thing about listening to Ari Roland's And So I Lived in Old New York... is that it provides insight into the creative process and the way that simpatico among artists helps to form the final result. There are seven tunes on the disc, four of which are improvisations. Atypical titles like “Smile of the Swamp Thing and “Under the Salt of Stars exemplify the spirit of the band. Roland has played with saxman Chris Byars, pianist Sacha Perry ...

147
Album Review

Ari Roland: Sketches From A Bassist's Album

Read "Sketches From A Bassist's Album" reviewed by Terrell Kent Holmes


Bassist Ari Roland makes a declarative statement at the top of Sketches From A Bassist's Album. His bowed solo near the beginning of “The Lion of Yerevan establishes that his leadership will consist of more than metronomic background timekeeping. Sketches is mostly comprised of Roland's diverse originals, with a couple of standards included for balance; a recent gig before an intimate, rain-soaked gathering at his home base, Smalls, followed the same pattern. (The only departure was that there was a ...

185
Album Review

Ari Roland: Sketches from a Bassist's Album

Read "Sketches from a Bassist's Album" reviewed by Jim Santella


Any session led by a double-bassist has to have pizzazz to work. Ari Roland proves this axiom true as he solos with authority, walks the bass for a confident rhythmic foundation, and encourages his sidemen to turn it loose. From New York, just over thirty, and a standard fixture at Smalls, Roland finds it easy to communicate with other straight-ahead musicians and his audience. It's natural. He speaks through his instrument. With his quartet, he explores melodies that present a ...

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129

Recording

Ari Roland - New Music (Smalls)

Ari Roland - New Music (Smalls)

Source: Master of a Small House

Bassist Ari Roland doesn't mince words with the title of his latest disc. The summarizing phrase is succinct just like his preferred style of soloing on his instrument. While the seven compositions are indeed fresh creations, they still align quite closely with the extant occupants in his songbook. That familiarity extends to his sidemen as well, players who are equal-footing peers rather than subordinates. Saxophonist Chris Byars fields both alto and tenor to the session, playing each in the by ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Blues For The End Of...

Tzim Tzum Records
2023

buy

I Wish I Knew

Floating World Records
2022

buy

The Aesthetic Attitude

Fresh Sound Records
2021

buy

Samara Joy

Whirlwind Recordings
2021

buy

And so I lived in old...

Smalls Records
2007

buy

Sketches from a...

Smalls Records
2006

buy

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