John Arnold: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Ayro
• Lanu
• John Beltran
• Recloose
• Agent K
• Amp Fiddler

• Stevie Wonder
• Derrick May
• Herbie Hancock

• Jazzhead
• Blackman & Arnold

Genres:

Electronic & Dance Music, Ambient Music, Drum 'n' Bass Music, House Music, Techno Music, Classical Music, Club Dance Music

Decades Active:

1990's|2000's

Multiinstrumentalist/broken beat producer John Arnold cut his teeth in the Detroit electronic scene in a very unique fashion when compared to most Detroit folklore. After studying music theory at Wayne State University, Arnold formed the worldbeatinfluenced acoustic duo Blackman Arnold, which quickly gained attention around town due to their seemingly neverending performance schedule. He was also a founder of the live acid jazz combo Jazzhead, which performed at many local electronic music clubs around town and quickly gained a loyal following. It was through word of mouth that Arnold caught the attention of such techno luminaries as Derrick May and Carl Craig. Craig was so impressed with Arnold's work that he invited him to perform live at the inaugural Detroit Electronic Music Festival in 2000, and May issued Arnold's solo debut, Universal Mind on Fragile (Transmat's sister label), that same year. A release on Transmat would happen four years later and Arnold also found great interest from the California imprint Ubiquity. Several singles and remixes later, Ubiquity released Arnold's debut fulllength, Neighborhood Science, in 2004. The album featured a veritable who's who of the Detroit electronicjazz scene, including notable contributions from Ayro, Malik Alston, and Amp Fiddler. The followup, Style and Pattern, was released in November of 2005 on Ubiquity, and once again featured Detroit luminaries such as jazz legend Wendell Harrison, Parliament/Funkadelic percussionist Larry Fratangelo, and Mahogani Music producer/bassist Paul Randolph.

- Rob Theakston, All Music Guide