The Ari Roland Jazz Quartet’s tales of peace

The Ari Roland Jazz Quartet’s tales of peace

Faizul Khan Tanim met with the Ari Roland Jazz Quartet, who let's their music speak for themselves

The quartet felt very strongly about coming to Bangladesh for the first time, and was welcomed by music-lovers in Dhaka. In the process, and while performing, the musicians were happy to learn about Bangladeshi culture through our music, poetry and dance. For them it was a bit like digging up great treasures.
Drummer Keith Balla said, “Bengalis are such great people to talk to and interact with. If I’m ever stuck in an elevator, I hope it’s with a Bangladeshi.”

All four have released individual albums but they perform together as a family. They will start recording in February next year for their first studio release aimed for September. The quartet is from New York City and their music is inspired by the great names of jazz, such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and others.

They have learned under the guidance of living legends of jazz in New York and that is probably why their music speaks for itself, and not vice-versa. Their original compositions have also been hailed by jazz critics from around the world.

In Dhaka, they conducted workshops with students at the Oxford International School and with local musicians at Omni Music, both in Dhanmondi. The highlight of the group’s visit to Bangladesh was, however, a performance at the Shilpakala Academy on December 10.

When asked about coming to Bangladesh again and perhaps collaborating with local musicians, the band was massively enthusiastic. Ari Roland, who plays the double bass said, “Jazz music is absolutely open to fusing with other sounds and making it richer. It is a melting pot of music created in America but world music now.”

They all agreed that, like all other music, jazz has some important characteristics: the music evolves from very old and strong traditions...one needs to learn from the old masters. Once a musician has learned, it is very important to develop one's own voice so when somebody hears him/her, they know it’s that specific person...its like breathing new life into the music. The third characteristic would be that jazz must always have a very strong rhythm, which makes people want to dance, clap hands, snap fingers....if it doesn’t have any of that, its not really good jazz and finally, no matter how complex the music is: fast or slow, loud or soft, it has to narrate stories.

The band:
Ari Roland plays double bass - a fully professional jazz bassist in New York City from age 16, Ari also received classical training for 5 years at The Juilliard School. He has worked with many of the most significant figures in jazz, including Barry Harris, Betty Carter, Lou Donaldson, Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts and Harry Connick Jr. As a "Jazz Ambassador" for the US Department of State, Ari has traveled to 26 different countries for 54 programmes in the past three years.

Chris Byars, tenor saxophone - a native of New York City, Chris began his professional career singing with The Metropolitan Opera Company when he was six years old, taking up the saxophone at age 14. He is equally recognised as an outstanding composer and arranger, having received prestigious awards, grants and commissions from many organisations, including The Tanne Foundation and Chamber Music America.

Zaid Nasser, alto saxophone - born and raised in New York, Zaid is the son of jazz and blues master Jamil Nasser and learned directly from the legends of jazz themselves. At age 19, he returned to Memphis, the birthplace of the blues, playing for two years with Calvin Newborn. Returning to New York, he was a featured soloist with Panama Frances' "Savoy Sultans," and with the pioneering jazz organist Bill Doggett. His CDs have been included on many critics' annual "Top Ten" lists, and he performs regularly in New York City.

Keith Balla, the man behind the drums - born in Austin, Texas, Keith moved to New York City at age 17 and started working professionally. He is a student of master drummer and teacher Kenny Washington. In addition to national tours, he performs regularly in New York with many of the city's dynamic young jazz artists. Known for his musical maturity, he is heavily recognised by the older generation for his supportive and interactive accompaniment style.

This article was first published in The Independent, Dec 14 2010 http://www.theindependentdigital.com/?opt=view&page=25&date=2010-12-14