Robert Aaron (born Robert Arron Vineberg; November 13, 1955) is a Canadian jazz musician. 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." He performed for rapper Wyclef Jean's band from 1998 to 2008. 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."
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. He played sax on David Bowie's 1983 hit "Let's Dance". In 2010, Aaron released his album Trouble Man, which Michael Daly of the Daily Beast called "artistically adventurous but commercially unsuccessful". 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."
Early life Aaron was born in Montreal in 1955. He was discouraged from pursuing music as a career by his father, who taught piano. However, as a teenager in the 1970s, he decided to move to New York to perform and record with his band.
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. 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.
Notable credits Credits according to AllMusic: Year Album Artist Credit 1982The Hunter Blondie Horn Arrangements, Saxophone 1982Sax Maniac James White and The Blacks Drums, Percussion, Piano, Sax (Tenor), Saxophone 1983Let's Dance David Bowie Flute, Tenor (Vocal) 1983James White's Flaming Demonics James Chance Member of Attributed Artist, Sax (Tenor) 1986L Is for Lover Al Jarreau Musician, Reeds 1988In Full Gear Stetsasonic Saxophone 1992Nubian M.O.B. Nubian M.O.B. Bass, Flute, Guitar, Organ (Hammond), Piano, Programming, Saxophone 1993The Album Masters at Work Keyboards, Saxophone 1995Run Away Robert Aaron Primary Artist 1996Sax in the Ozone Robert Aaron Primary Artist 1997Nightbird Inventions Dominic Duval Tray Card 1998Memory of the Future Eric Andersen Composer, Flute, Keyboard Bass, Keyboards, Organ (Hammond), producer, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Trumpet 1999No Exit Blondie Additional Personnel, Flute, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor) 1999Electric Honey Luscious Jackson Flute, Horn 2000You Can't Relive the Past Eric Andersen Clarinet, Flute, Piano 2000Fear of Flying Mýa Horn 2000It Doesn't Matter Wyclef JeanHorn 2000The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book Wyclef Jean Horn 2001Goddess in the Doorway Mick Jagger Flute, Horn, Keyboards 2002Mr. Jones Tom Jones Horn Arrangements, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor), Saxophone 2002Masquerade Wyclef Jean Keyboards, Saxophone 2003Frank Amy Winehouse Flute, Saxophone 2003Beat Avenue Eric Andersen Bass, Bass (Electric), composer, Flute, Guitar, Keyboards, Melodica, Mixing, Organ, Piano, producer, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor), Trumpet 2003Live and Kickin' Willie Nelson Keyboards 2003Greatest Hits Wyclef Jean Horn 2003The Preacher's Son Wyclef Jean Flute, Guitar, Melodica, Piano, Saxophone 2004The 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 2004Self Explanatory I-20 Keyboards 2004Same Girl Trina Broussard Flute, Keyboards, Saxophone 2004Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101 Wyclef Jean Keyboards, Saxophone 2005Waves Eric Andersen Arranger, Bass, Congas, Fender Rhodes, Flute, Guitar (Acoustic), Melodica, Oboe, Organ, Organ (Hammond), Piano, Piccolo, producer, Quatro, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor) 2005Odyssey Fischerspooner Flute 2006Bole2Harlem, Vol. 1 Bole2Harlem Horn 2007City Beach Jill Cunniff Saxophone, Wurlitzer 2009Entertainment Fischerspooner Flute, Sax (Alto), Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor), Trumpet (Pocket) 2010Stolen Car Certain General Saxophone 2010The Saddest Kiss Robert Aaron Primary Artist 2010Trouble Man Robert Aaron Primary Artist 2010Zaz Zaz Cuivres 2010Like a Radio Charles Schillings Additional Production, Keyboards, Saxophone 2010Twist Your Soul: The Definitive Collection James Chance Organ, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor)
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