Roland J Barber

Roland J Barber
Nashville, TN
Grant amount: $14,429

About the Artist

Roland Barber, based in Nashville, Tennessee, has achieved a powerful, soulful and spirited artistry as a jazz performer, so much so the legendary Curtis Fuller (John Coltrane’s only trombonist) exclaimed upon hearing him, “Now THAT’s what jazz trombone is all about!” Roland’s style is a synthesis of exciting elements – a fusion held together by a compelling sense of “voice” that reaches audiences on many levels. Roland employs a warm, personal tone that is lyrical and full, reminiscent of trombone masters J.J. Johnson and Al Grey - and displays a melodicism well informed by many traditions from the blues and gospel wail of the South to the bebop founded in New York City, from the swagger of New Orleans to the flavor and verve of Afro-Cuban traditions.  Roland is also known for his masterful plunger-mute playing – a gem in the music of jazz that goes back to Tricky Sam Nanton of Duke Ellington’s orchestra and a study that has been passed down the generations, most directly to Roland through mentors Steve Turre and Al Grey.  Roland has performed with titans of jazz music as well as young lions, including Stefon Harris, Sean Jones, Clark Terry, Branford Marsalis, Houston Person, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Chico O’Farill Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra, Lainie Cooke and the Grammy-winning New Orleans Jazz Ensemble. Barber has performed in venues the world over, from Manhattan to Estonia, including Carnegie Hall, Birdland, the Blue Note, the Smithsonian, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and Madison Square Garden. Beyond the jazz realm, Roland has performed with a “who’s who” of the music scene, including the Wooten Brothers, Slavic Soul Party, Lauryn Hill, the Nashville Symphony, Lady A, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Lauren Daigle, Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo, the Wood Brothers, Ron Isley, La India, Roberto Blades, Take 6, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Kirk Whalum, the NBC Saturday Night Live Band and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra.