Popular and Improvised Music
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Ever since he picked up a guitar at age ten, Aaron has been forming rock bands and jazz groups and writing original songs to perform. Here are several notable projects:
Silly Songs
1993-present
I have always had a silly streak in my songwriting, and I love singing songs that make people laugh!
Petrichor
2008-2009
With Eric Biondo, voice and trumpet; Malina Rauschenfels, cello; Rob Jost, bass; Brook Martinez, drums.
After a hiatus of about six years, I revived the rhythm section of Yoga* and brought in two of my favorite musicians from different worlds, vocalist/trumpeter Eric Biondo and cellist Malina Rauschenfels.
After a hiatus of about six years, I revived the rhythm section of Yoga* and brought in two of my favorite musicians from different worlds, vocalist/trumpeter Eric Biondo and cellist Malina Rauschenfels.
Yoga*
2000-2002
With Jason Hassenstab, saxophone; Rob Jost, bass; Brook Martinez, drums
Yoga* played its first performance at a Starbucks in the East Village. We went on to perform regularly at the Cornelia St. Café and the Knitting Factory. Early Yoga* songs were vehicles for free improvisation, but by the end the group was playing music that was through-composed. Jason, Rob and Brook were the most supportive and intrepid collaborators a bandleader could hope for, and I credit Yoga* with helping me find my stride as a composer.
Yoga* played its first performance at a Starbucks in the East Village. We went on to perform regularly at the Cornelia St. Café and the Knitting Factory. Early Yoga* songs were vehicles for free improvisation, but by the end the group was playing music that was through-composed. Jason, Rob and Brook were the most supportive and intrepid collaborators a bandleader could hope for, and I credit Yoga* with helping me find my stride as a composer.
Slide Left
1999-2000
With Josh Cook, saxophone; Brook Martinez, Drums.
This bass-less trio marked a major turning point in my musical development, and it was the first band for which I composed all original music. Slide Left made its debut at performance series I founded at Judson Memorial Church, a highlight of my years at NYU. In retrospect, I can hear how indebted this band was to two of my all-time favorite groups: Tim Berne’s Big Satan with Marc Ducret and Tom Rainey, and the Paul Motian Trio with Bill Frisell and Joe Lovano.
This bass-less trio marked a major turning point in my musical development, and it was the first band for which I composed all original music. Slide Left made its debut at performance series I founded at Judson Memorial Church, a highlight of my years at NYU. In retrospect, I can hear how indebted this band was to two of my all-time favorite groups: Tim Berne’s Big Satan with Marc Ducret and Tom Rainey, and the Paul Motian Trio with Bill Frisell and Joe Lovano.
The Aaron Grad Quintet
1997-1998
With Matt Douglas, saxophone; David Turner, piano; Zachariah Hickman, bass; Marcus Jackson, drums.
This high school quintet recorded a CD, Perhaps in the Spring, a mix of original compositions and jazz standards.
This high school quintet recorded a CD, Perhaps in the Spring, a mix of original compositions and jazz standards.