Robert Aaron

Robert Aaron
Born	Robert Arron Vineberg (1955-11-13) November 13, 1955 Montreal, Canada
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer
Years active	1970s–present
Known for	Multi-instrumentalist in jazz music; collaborations with David Bowie, Wyclef Jean, and others

Robert Aaron (originally named Robert Arron Vineberg; born November 13, 1955) is a Canadian artist known for his contributions to jazz music. John Leland from the New York Times highlighted Aaron's multi-instrumental talents, noting that he "mastered flute, saxophone, clarinet, and piano before teaching himself guitar, trumpet, bassoon, French horn, and several other instruments." Between 1998 and 2008, he was a member of rapper Wyclef Jean's ensemble. According to Robin Caulden of the Press-Republican, "His collaborations span a wide range of artists — including Afrika Bambataa, B52s, Blondie, Chic, David Bowie, Heavy D, James Chance and The Contortions, RZA, Stetsasonic, William Vivanco, and the Wu-Tang Clan."

Aaron’s professional journey included joining forces with James Chance in 1981 as part of the group James White and the Blacks, with whom he toured across Europe and Japan. He contributed saxophone performances to David Bowie's 1983 chart-topper "Let's Dance." In 2010, Aaron introduced his album Trouble Man, which Michael Daly from the Daily Beast described as "creatively bold but commercially unsuccessful." Folk musician Eric Andersen, who worked alongside Aaron as both producer and collaborator on multiple projects, praised him as "utterly committed. He lived for his craft."

Early life

Born in Montreal in 1955, Aaron faced discouragement from his father, a piano instructor, regarding a career in music. Nonetheless, during his teenage years in the 1970s, he relocated to New York City to perform and record with his own band.

Death of Philip Seymour Hoffman

In February 2014, Aaron was detained under suspicion of supplying the heroin that led to Philip Seymour Hoffman's fatal overdose. The prosecution later withdrew the most severe charge of intent to distribute heroin; Aaron admitted guilt to felony possession of drugs and was sentenced to five years probation.

Notable credits

Details from AllMusic list his contributions as follows:

Year	Album	Artist	Role
1982	The Hunter	Blondie	Horn Arrangements, Saxophone
1982	Sax Maniac	James White and The Blacks	Drums, Percussion, Piano, Tenor Saxophone
1983	Let's Dance	David Bowie	Flute, Tenor Vocals
1983	James White's Flaming Demonics	James Chance	Tenor Saxophone, Featured Artist
1986	L Is for Lover	Al Jarreau	Reeds Performer
1988	In Full Gear	Stetsasonic	Saxophone
1992	Nubian M.O.B.	Nubian M.O.B.	Bass, Flute, Guitar, Hammond Organ, Piano, Programming, Saxophone
1993	The Album	Masters at Work	Keyboards, Saxophone
1995	Run Away	Robert Aaron	Lead Artist
1996	Sax in the Ozone	Robert Aaron	Lead Artist
1997	Nightbird Inventions	Dominic Duval	Tray Card
1998	Memory of the Future	Eric Andersen	Composer; Flute; Keyboard Bass; Keyboards; Hammond Organ; Producer; Baritone, Soprano & Tenor Saxophones; Trumpet
1999	No Exit	Blondie	Additional Personnel; Flute; Baritone & Tenor Saxophones
1999	Electric Honey	Luscious Jackson	Flute; Horns
2000	You Can't Relive the Past	Eric Andersen	Clarinet; Flute; Piano
2000	Fear of Flying	Mýa	Horn Section
2000	It Doesn't Matter	Wyclef Jean	Horn Section
2000	The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book	Wyclef Jean	Horn Section
2001	Goddess in the Doorway	Mick Jagger	Flute; Horns; Keyboards
2002	Mr. Jones	Tom Jones	Horn Arrangements; Baritone & Tenor Saxophones
2002	Masquerade	Wyclef Jean	Keyboards; Saxophone
2003	Frank	Amy Winehouse	Flute; Saxophone
2003	Beat Avenue	Eric Andersen	Bass; Electric Bass; Composer; Flute; Guitar; Keyboards; Melodica; Mixing; Organ; Piano; Producer; Baritone & Tenor Saxophones; Trumpet
2003	Live and Kickin'	Willie Nelson	Keyboards
2003	Greatest Hits	Wyclef Jean	Horn Section
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; Bass Guitar; Electric Guitar; 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 Piano; Flute; Acoustic Guitar; Melodica; Oboe; Hammond Organ; Piano; Producer; Quatro Guitar; Alto & Tenor Saxophones
2005	Odyssey	Fischerspooner	Flute
2006	Bole2Harlem, Vol. 1	Bole2Harlem	Horn Section
2007	City Beach	Jill Cunniff	Saxophone; Wurlitzer Keyboard
2009	Entertainment	Fischerspooner	Flute, Saxophones, Trumpet
2010	Stolen Car	Certain General	Saxophone
2010	The Saddest Kiss	Robert Aaron	Lead Artist
2010	Trouble Man	Robert Aaron	Lead Artist
2010	Zaz	Zaz	Brass Instruments
2010	Like a Radio	Charles Schillings	Additional Production, Keyboards, Saxophone