Arthur Kell (bassist, composer) is one of the most original voices on today's New York jazz scene. For the past twenty years, he has played with an amazing cross-section of the most influential contemporary jazz musicians in New York City and around the world.

For example, in the 1980's Arthur played extensively with artists such as Thomas Chapin (Spirits Rebellious Quintet), Bobbie Previte, Shelley Hirsch, Fred Ho and Marc Ribot, and also played numerous dates with Billy Bang and Mark Feldman.

This wide experience and versatility are reflected in Arthur's playing and writing. His compositions and his improvisations draw on many diverse influences, which makes for very entertaining and compelling listening. Arthur's ability to fit seamlessly into any musical context has made him much in demand as a sideman.

Recently, he has been working with the likes of Sam Newsome, Armen Donelian, Dave Berkman, Cliff Korman, Guillermo Klein, Christian Howes, John Stetch, Bruce Barth and the Finnish singer, Sanni Orasmaa. He was paired with Bernard Purdie on a 2000 recording by Peggy Stern (Koch Int'l) and with Matt Wilson on a 2003 recording by guitarist Andy Green that was produced by John McNeil.

BASSIST

COMPOSER

Since 1997, he has led groups featuring such contemporary jazz stars as Bill McHenry, Steve Cardenas, Matt Wilson, Gerald Cleaver, Donny McCaslin and Chris Cheek, and his first CD, See You in Zanzibar, features McHenry, Cardenas and drummer Allison Miller, each of whom are on the cutting edge of creative music in New York City.

Arthur's 2005 release on Fresh Sound New Talent Records unveils a new program of songs that has been enthusiastically embraced before sold-out audiences in Spain and New York. His current working band includes Steve Cardenas as well as saxophonist Gorka Benitez and drummer Joe Smith, two highly respected musicians from Spain.

Arthur was born in Winchester, Massachusetts. His musical life started late in high school. He met Thomas Chapin there and the two became life-long friends. He went on to study at Oberlin Conservatory of Music with Diana Mizelle, Mark Bernat and Wendell Logan. It was at Oberlin that he first met and played extensively with Ned Rothenberg, Jon Jang, Eric Watson and Tom Varner.

For a time in the late 1980's, Arthur also became a prominent environmental activist (read an excerpt about his work from a book by Benjamin Miller).

Also in 1998, he taught in Italy as an associate teacher for the State University of New York at Purchase. In 1999, Arthur was invited to be a fellow at Music Omi, an international music colony in upstate New York and is now on the board of directors.

Arthur has also traveled extensively in Africa (read an excerpt from his journals about travel in the deserts of Niger) and Kyrgyzstan. In a four-month period in 1994-5, he traveled alone by local transportation from Senegal to the Indian Ocean, including 900 miles by camel through the Sahara desert in Niger and Chad.