Product Description "A supportive bassist with a huge sound, whose brief arco solos are fascinating." -CADENCE "His arco solos are like twisting filaments of bright sound." -JAZZTIMES "Ari Roland not only aces the course...he can set the curriculum." -Phil Schaap, curator, JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER Bassist Ari Roland has performed at Smalls more times than any other artist and is probably the face best recognized by thousands of Smalls fans around the world. He is best known as co-leader of Smalls’ long-running Sunday night band Across 7 Street and for his work with the late piano legend Frank Hewitt, who considered Roland the only bassist in New York talented enough to accompany him! Roland is the only new bassist in the last 15 years to be considered a true master of the walking bass line, with the impeccable taste and swing of a Blanton or Pettiford. His early work with Wynton Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, Marcus Roberts, Harry Connick Jr. and Betty Carter offers proof that his reputation is widespread. This album features several of Roland’s acclaimed compositions displaying a kind of melodic and harmonic sophistication unmatched by today’s hard bop players. His playing is intense and passionate, and he has been an audience favorite at Smalls for ten years running. ! This record has a lot of life, and it really pops! Review ...Ari Roland plays bebop, not hard bop: he is fascinated by the fragile dynamics of that music...a strong record... -- Sunday New York Times, April 2, 2006