Robert Aaron
Canadian jazz musician (born 1955)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Aaron (born Robert Arron Vineberg; November 13, 1955) is a Canadian jazz musician.[14] According to John Leland of the New York Times "Mr. Aaron played flute, saxophone, clarinet and piano, then taught himself guitar, trumpet, bassoon, French horn and other instruments."[15] He performed for rapper Wyclef Jean's band from 1998 to 2008.[14] Robin Caulden of Press-Republican said "He's played with everybody — Afrika Bambataa, B52s, Blondie, Chic, David Bowie, Heavy D, James Chance and The Contortions, RZA, Stetsasonic, William Vivanco and Wu-Tang Clan."[16]
In 1981, he first started work with James Chance for the group James White and the Blacks; and has toured with him since in Europe and Japan.[15] He played sax on David Bowie's 1983 hit "Let's Dance".[13][17] In 2010, Aaron released his album Trouble Man,[14] which Michael Daly of the Daily Beast called "artistically adventurous but commercially unsuccessful".[18] Folk singer Eric Andersen, who used Aaron on several albums as a producer and performer, described him as "Absolutely dedicated. He lived for his art."[15]
Early life
Death of Philip Seymour Hoffman
Aaron was arrested in February 2014 for suspicion of selling the heroin that caused the overdose death of Philip Seymour Hoffman.[21] Ultimately, prosecutors dropped the most serious charge, which was intent to sell heroin. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of felony drug possession, and was sentenced to five years’ probation.[22]
Notable credits
Credits according to AllMusic:[23]
| Year | Album | Artist | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | The Hunter | Blondie | Horn Arrangements, Saxophone |
| 1982 | Sax Maniac | James White and The Blacks | Drums, Percussion, Piano, Sax (Tenor), Saxophone |
| 1983 | Let's Dance | David Bowie | Flute, Tenor (Vocal) |
| 1983 | James White's Flaming Demonics | James Chance | Member of Attributed Artist, Sax (Tenor) |
| 1986 | L Is for Lover | Al Jarreau | Musician, Reeds |
| 1988 | In Full Gear | Stetsasonic | Saxophone |
| 1992 | Nubian M.O.B. | Nubian M.O.B. | Bass, Flute, Guitar, Organ (Hammond), Piano, Programming, Saxophone |
| 1993 | The Album | Masters at Work | Keyboards, Saxophone |
| 1995 | Run Away | Robert Aaron | Primary Artist |
| 1996 | Sax in the Ozone | Robert Aaron | Primary Artist |
| 1997 | Nightbird Inventions | Dominic Duval | Tray Card |
| 1998 | Memory of the Future | Eric Andersen | Composer, Flute, Keyboard Bass, Keyboards, Organ (Hammond), producer, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Trumpet |
| 1999 | No Exit | Blondie | Additional Personnel, Flute, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor) |
| 1999 | Electric Honey | Luscious Jackson | Flute, Horn |
| 2000 | You Can't Relive the Past | Eric Andersen | Clarinet, Flute, Piano |
| 2000 | Fear of Flying | Mýa | Horn |
| 2000 | It Doesn't Matter | Wyclef Jean | Horn |
| 2000 | The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book | Wyclef Jean | Horn |
| 2001 | Goddess in the Doorway | Mick Jagger | Flute, Horn, Keyboards |
| 2002 | Mr. Jones | Tom Jones | Horn Arrangements, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor), Saxophone |
| 2002 | Masquerade | Wyclef Jean | Keyboards, Saxophone |
| 2003 | Frank | Amy Winehouse | Flute, Saxophone |
| 2003 | Beat Avenue | Eric Andersen | Bass, Bass (Electric), composer, Flute, Guitar, Keyboards, Melodica, Mixing, Organ, Piano, producer, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor), Trumpet |
| 2003 | Live and Kickin' | Willie Nelson | Keyboards |
| 2003 | Greatest Hits | Wyclef Jean | Horn |
| 2003 | The Preacher's Son | Wyclef Jean | Flute, Guitar, Melodica, Piano, Saxophone |
| 2004 | The Street Was Always There | Eric Andersen | Arranger, Audio Production, Bass, Clarinet, composer, Cuatro, Editing, Flute, Guitar (Bass), Guitar (Electric), Keyboards, Liner Notes, Main Personnel, Melodica, Organ, Piano, producer, Saxophone, Synthesizer |
| 2004 | Self Explanatory | I-20 | Keyboards |
| 2004 | Same Girl | Trina Broussard | Flute, Keyboards, Saxophone |
| 2004 | Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101 | Wyclef Jean | Keyboards, Saxophone |
| 2005 | Waves | Eric Andersen | Arranger, Bass, Congas, Fender Rhodes, Flute, Guitar (Acoustic), Melodica, Oboe, Organ, Organ (Hammond), Piano, Piccolo, producer, Quatro, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor) |
| 2005 | Odyssey | Fischerspooner | Flute |
| 2006 | Bole2Harlem, Vol. 1 | Bole2Harlem | Horn |
| 2007 | City Beach | Jill Cunniff | Saxophone, Wurlitzer |
| 2009 | Entertainment | Fischerspooner | Flute, Sax (Alto), Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor), Trumpet (Pocket) |
| 2010 | Stolen Car | Certain General | Saxophone |
| 2010 | The Saddest Kiss | Robert Aaron | Primary Artist |
| 2010 | Trouble Man | Robert Aaron | Primary Artist |
| 2010 | Zaz | Zaz | Cuivres |
| 2010 | Like a Radio | Charles Schillings | Additional Production, Keyboards, Saxophone |
| 2010 | Twist Your Soul: The Definitive Collection | James Chance | Organ, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor) |