John Arnold
Multi-instrumentalist/music 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 worldbeat-influenced acoustic duo Blackman & Arnold, which quickly gained attention around town due to their seemingly never-ending performance schedule. He was 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 full-length, Neighborhood Science, in 2004. The album featured a veritable who’s who of the Detroit electronic-jazz scene, including notable contributions from Ayro, Malik Alston, and Amp Fiddler. The follow-up, 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. As a guitar player, John has recorded and toured with many Detroit based legends and beyond. He appears on Amp Fiddler’s “Waltz of the Ghetto Fly”, along side musical greats George Clinton and J Dilla. Arnold is also featured on Carl Craig’s “Tribe Tribute” album released in the fall of 2008, alongside jazz legends Wendell Harrison, Marcus Belgrave and Phil Ranellin. Hear him playing guitar on various other releases such as Black Milk’s “Tronic” (playing guitar and appearing in the video for “Give the Drummer Sum”) and a Canadian-based project with Blacktop on Do-Right Records (Toronto). As a producer John’s music has been played, seen and heard all over the world. His production of Astor Piazzolla’s “Calambre” was used in the 2006 Winter Olympics by U.S. skating pair Silverstein and O’Meara. His “James Bond Theme” is also be featured on the Oct. 2008 release of “Best of Bond” (Capital/EMI), alongside artists such as Paul McCartney, Louis Armstrong and Tina Turner. In addition you can find John’s music on a myriad of dj mix records by artists such as Jeff Mills, Carl Craig, Kirk Degiorgio, Martin Solveig and Claude Young. From disco classics to club bangers Arnold is one of the most coveted musicians in Detroit. You will find him on “Nightlife” with Jeremy Ellis out on Futuresoul Recording, “Spookie Dookie” w/ EXB on 3rd Ear Records and releases on the new Detroit imprint “Exchange Bureau Music”. 2009 will be non-stop for John with his third full length release, new remixes, guitar appearences and touring with his all live, one man electronic show.
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