{{Short description|Canadian jazz musician (born 1955)}} {{for|the American electrical engineer|M. Robert Aaron}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Robert Aaron | image = | image_size = | landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank --> | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Robert Arron Vineberg<ref>[https://www.discogs.com/artist/28222-Robert-Aaron "Robert Aaron"]. Discogs. Retrieved September 23, 2022.</ref><ref name="Arron@WC">[https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=au%3A%22Robert+Arron%22 "Audio search results for "Robert Arron"]. WorldCat. Retrieved March 20, 2021.</ref><ref name="Arron@IA">[https://archive.org/search.php?query=%22robert%20arron%22&sin=TXT&and=mediatype%3A%22audio%22 Audio search results for "Robert Arron"]. Internet Archive. Retrieved March 20, 2021.</ref><ref name="NYDN re pre-Aaron">[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73969213 "City Lights Guide: Rock/Pop Plus"]. ''New York Daily News''. May 28, 1989. p.&nbsp;146. Retrieved March 20, 2021.</ref><ref name="TNYT re pre-Aaron">[https://www.mediafire.com/view/gy5rm8rt9yzj4i2 "Arts and Leisure Guide. Pop, Rock, Folk: In the Clubs."]. ''The New York Times''. May 7, 1989. p.&nbsp;H46. Retrieved March 20, 2021.</ref><ref name="TNY re pre-Aaron">Staff (January 18, 1993). [https://www.mediafire.com/view/s5cr08ol87yqs90 Goings On About Town; Above and Beyond: Readings]. ''The New Yorker''. p.&nbsp;22. Retrieved March 20, 2021.</ref> | native_name = | native_name_lang = | alias = Robert Arron (prior to October 1993)<ref name="Arron@AMG">[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/robert-arron-mn0000535878 "Robert Arron: Credits"]. All Music Guide. Retrieved September 23, 2022.</ref><ref name="Arron@WC"/><ref name="Arron@IA"/><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=An Educational Alliance; Where Is 'What Is Love'?|author=Flick, Larry|date=October 9, 1993|magazine=Billboard|page=32|quote=Jazz saxophonist Robert Aaron brings his sweet, fluid tones into deep-house territory on 'Sax in the Ozone' (EightBall, New York), a breezy, R&B-inflected gem.|id={{ProQuest|1506016784}}}}.</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1955|11|13}}<ref name="NYT—8/73">{{Cite news|title=Drug-Selling Charges Dropped Against Man Arrested in Philip Seymour Hoffman Case|author=Leland, John|date=August 29, 2014|work=The New York Times|page=A18|quote=Born in Montreal, Mr. Aaron, 58, faced both prison time and possible deportation if he was convicted of selling drugs, a Class B felony.|id={{ProQuest|1943309241}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Hoffman pal pleads guilty to drug charge|agency=Associated Press|date=August 29, 2014|work=Toronto Star|page=E7|quote=A conviction could have resulted in jail time for the 58-year-old jazz musician from Canada and his possible deportation.|id={{ProQuest|2032070333}}}}</ref><ref>Ross, Barbara (August 29, 2014). [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110043872/daily-news/ "No Jail for Hoffman's Druggie Jazzman Pal"]. ''New York Daily News''. p.&nbsp;12. "Robert Vineberg, 58, copped to a low-level possession charge." Retrieved September 23, 2022.</ref><ref name="HBD@FB">[https://www.mediafire.com/view/93i87cllb47ajyw Misc. Facebook Birthday Salutes to Robert Aaron]. MediaFire. Retrieved September 23, 2022.</ref> | birth_place = Montreal<ref name=journal1/> | origin = | death_date = <!-- {{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date 1st) --> | death_place = | genre = jazz<ref name=heavy1/> | occupation = musician | instrument = flute, saxophone, clarinet, piano, guitar, trumpet, bassoon, french horn | years_active = <!-- YYYY–YYYY (or –present) --> | label = Heavenly Sweetness<ref name=journal1>{{cite web|last=Cross|first=Alan|title=A Weird Canadian Musical Connection to the Death of Phillip (sic) Seymour Hoffman|url=https://ajournalofmusicalthings.com/weird-canadian-musical-connection-death-phillip-seymour-hoffman/|work=A Journal of Musical Things|accessdate=May 7, 2014|date=February 6, 2014}}</ref> | website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> }} '''Robert Aaron''' (born '''Robert Arron Vineberg'''; November 13, 1955) is a Canadian jazz musician.<ref name=heavy1/> According to John Leland of the New York Times "Mr. Aaron played flute, saxophone, clarinet and piano, then taught himself guitar, trumpet, bassoon, French horn and other instruments."<ref name=nyt1>{{cite web|last=Leland|first=John|title=An Addict With Friends|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/13/nyregion/an-addict-with-friends.html|work=The New York Times|accessdate=May 7, 2014|date=April 11, 2014}}</ref> He performed for rapper Wyclef Jean's band from 1998 to 2008.<ref name=heavy1>{{cite web|last=Levitz|first=Eric|title=Robert Vineberg Arrested in Connection with PSH Death|url=https://www.heavy.com/news/2014/02/who-is-robert-vineberg-robert-aaron/|work=Heavy.com|accessdate=May 7, 2014|date=February 5, 2014}}</ref> Robin Caulden of Press-Republican said "He's played with everybody — Afrika Bambataa, B52s, Blondie, Chic, David Bowie, Heavy D, James Chance and The Contortions, RZA, Stetsasonic, William Vivanco and Wu-Tang Clan."<ref name=pressrepublican1>{{cite web|last=Caudell|first=Robin|title=New York's 'best-kept secret' playing tonight in Plattsburgh|url=http://www.pressrepublican.com/0500_what_to_do/x1537355922/New-Yorks-best-kept-secret-playing-tonight-in-Plattsburgh|work=Press-Republican|accessdate=May 7, 2014|date=May 3, 2012}}</ref>

In 1981, he first started work with James Chance for the group James White and the Blacks; and has toured with him since in Europe and Japan.<ref name=nyt1/> He played sax on David Bowie's 1983 hit "Let's Dance".<ref name=journal1/><ref name=globe1>{{cite web|last=Adams|first=James|title=Probe of Hoffman's death catches a Canadian 'musical visionary'|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/canadian-connected-to-hoffmans-death/article16723535/|work=The Globe and Mail|accessdate=May 7, 2014|date=February 5, 2014}}</ref> In 2010, Aaron released his album ''Trouble Man'',<ref name=heavy1/> which Michael Daly of the Daily Beast called "artistically adventurous but commercially unsuccessful".<ref name=dailybeast1>{{cite web|last=Daly|first=Michael|title=A Sax Player, Then a Suspect After Philip Seymour Hoffman's Final Act|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/07/a-sax-player-then-a-suspect-after-philip-seymour-hoffman-s-final-act.html|work=Daily Beast|accessdate=May 7, 2014|date=February 7, 2014}}</ref> Folk singer Eric Andersen, who used Aaron on several albums as a producer and performer, described him as "Absolutely dedicated. He lived for his art."<ref name=nyt1/>

==Early life== Aaron was born in Montreal in 1955.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tcholakian|first=Danielle|title=DA Drops Drug Dealing Charges Against Philip Seymour Hoffman's Friend|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140829/civic-center/da-drops-drug-dealing-charges-against-philip-seymour-hoffmans-friend|quote=Robert Vineberg, 58, was charged with selling drugs after police raided his apartment in February.|work=DNA Info|access-date=2022-09-20|date=August 29, 2014|archive-date=September 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922083325/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140829/civic-center/da-drops-drug-dealing-charges-against-philip-seymour-hoffmans-friend/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="NYT—8/73"/><ref name="HBD@FB"/> He was discouraged from pursuing music as a career by his father, who taught piano.<ref name=nyt1/> However, as a teenager in the 1970s, he decided to move to New York to perform and record with his band.<ref name=nyt1/><ref name=ibtimes1>{{cite web|last=Vultaggio|first=Maria|title=Who Is Robert (Aaron) Vineberg? 4 Arrested Related To Philip Seymour Hoffman's Apparent Heroin Overdose|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/who-robert-aaron-vineberg-4-arrested-related-philip-seymour-hoffmans-apparent-heroin-overdose|work=International Business Times|accessdate=May 7, 2014|date=February 5, 2014}}</ref>

==Death of Philip Seymour Hoffman== Aaron was arrested in February 2014 for suspicion of selling the heroin that caused the overdose death of Philip Seymour Hoffman.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Leland|first=John|date=2014-04-11|title='An Addict With Friends'|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/13/nyregion/an-addict-with-friends.html|access-date=2021-08-16|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Ultimately, prosecutors dropped the most serious charge, which was intent to sell heroin. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of felony drug possession, and was sentenced to five years’ probation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/2016/6/9/16040732/alex-spiro-bobby-shmurda-thabo-sefolosha-1-oak-f28073829b51|title = He Who Would Defend Shmurda|date = June 9, 2016}}</ref>

==Notable credits== Credits according to AllMusic:<ref name=allmusic1>{{cite web|title=Robert Aaron|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/robert-aaron-mn0000827693/credits|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=May 7, 2014}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Album ! Artist ! Credit |- | 1982||''The Hunter'' ||Blondie ||Horn Arrangements, Saxophone |- | 1982||''Sax Maniac'' ||James White and The Blacks ||Drums, Percussion, Piano, Sax (Tenor), Saxophone |- | 1983||''Let's Dance'' ||David Bowie ||Flute, Tenor (Vocal) |- | 1983||''James White's Flaming Demonics'' ||James Chance ||Member of Attributed Artist, Sax (Tenor) |- | 1986||''L Is for Lover'' ||Al Jarreau ||Musician, Reeds |- | 1988||''In Full Gear'' ||Stetsasonic ||Saxophone |- | 1992||''Nubian M.O.B.'' ||Nubian M.O.B. ||Bass, Flute, Guitar, Organ (Hammond), Piano, Programming, Saxophone |- | 1993||''The Album'' ||Masters at Work ||Keyboards, Saxophone |- | 1995||''Run Away'' ||Robert Aaron ||Primary Artist |- | 1996||''Sax in the Ozone'' ||Robert Aaron ||Primary Artist |- | 1997||''Nightbird Inventions'' ||Dominic Duval ||Tray Card |- | 1998||''Memory of the Future'' ||Eric Andersen ||Composer, Flute, Keyboard Bass, Keyboards, Organ (Hammond), producer, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Trumpet |- | 1999||''No Exit'' ||Blondie ||Additional Personnel, Flute, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor) |- | 1999||''Electric Honey'' ||Luscious Jackson ||Flute, Horn |- | 2000||''You Can't Relive the Past'' ||Eric Andersen ||Clarinet, Flute, Piano |- | 2000||''Fear of Flying'' ||Mýa ||Horn |- | 2000||''It Doesn't Matter'' ||Wyclef Jean||Horn |- | 2000||''The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book'' ||Wyclef Jean ||Horn |- | 2001||''Goddess in the Doorway'' ||Mick Jagger ||Flute, Horn, Keyboards |- | 2002||''Mr. Jones'' ||Tom Jones ||Horn Arrangements, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor), Saxophone |- | 2002||''Masquerade'' ||Wyclef Jean ||Keyboards, Saxophone |- | 2003||''Frank'' ||Amy Winehouse ||Flute, Saxophone |- | 2003||''Beat Avenue'' ||Eric Andersen ||Bass, Bass (Electric), composer, Flute, Guitar, Keyboards, Melodica, Mixing, Organ, Piano, producer, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor), Trumpet |- | 2003||''Live and Kickin''' ||Willie Nelson ||Keyboards |- | 2003||''Greatest Hits'' ||Wyclef Jean ||Horn |- | 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, Guitar (Bass), Guitar (Electric), 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, Flute, Guitar (Acoustic), Melodica, Oboe, Organ, Organ (Hammond), Piano, Piccolo, producer, Quatro, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor) |- | 2005||''Odyssey'' ||Fischerspooner ||Flute |- | 2006||''Bole2Harlem, Vol. 1'' ||Bole2Harlem ||Horn |- | 2007||''City Beach'' ||Jill Cunniff ||Saxophone, Wurlitzer |- | 2009||''Entertainment'' ||Fischerspooner ||Flute, Sax (Alto), Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor), Trumpet (Pocket) |- | 2010||''Stolen Car'' ||Certain General ||Saxophone |- | 2010||''The Saddest Kiss'' ||Robert Aaron ||Primary Artist |- | 2010||''Trouble Man'' ||Robert Aaron ||Primary Artist |- | 2010||''Zaz'' ||Zaz ||Cuivres |- | 2010||''Like a Radio'' ||Charles Schillings ||Additional Production, Keyboards, Saxophone |- | 2010||''Twist Your Soul: The Definitive Collection'' ||James Chance ||Organ, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor) |- |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{IMDb name|2245553}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aaron, Robert}} Category:Living people Category:Canadian jazz saxophonists Category:Canadian male saxophonists Category:Musicians from Montreal Category:1955 births Category:21st-century Canadian saxophonists Category:21st-century Canadian male musicians Category:Canadian male jazz musicians