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Take Five With Aidan Carroll

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By AAJ Staff
April 17, 2012
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Meet Aidan Carroll:
Originally from Oklahoma, now living in New York and on the road, Aidan Carroll is an acoustic/electric bassist, composer, and educator. He attended the University of Central Oklahoma on full jazz scholarship, attended the Banff Workshop following college, and subsequently moved to New York for a Masters Degree at City College of New York where he studied with mentor

John Patitucci

bass
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">John Patitucci. He's shared the stage with the likes of

John Abercrombie

guitar
1944 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">John Abercrombie,

Adam Cruz

drums
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Cruz,

Ben Monder

guitar
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Monder,

Logan Richardson

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Logan Richardson,

Ambrose Akinmusire

trumpet
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Ambrose Akinmusire,

Donald Fagen

piano and vocals
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Donald Fagen,

Warren Haynes

guitar
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Warren Haynes, and more. Aidan has toured abroad with the

Dan Tepfer

piano
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Tepfer Trio, Logan Richardson's SHIFT, and others. Aidan Carroll is currently touring with soul/rock band Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds and leading his own band in New York, the Aidan Carroll Group. Aidan is dedicated to a life in music, and to sharing his passion with everyone he meets along the way.

Instrument(s):
Acoustic/electric bass

Teachers and/or influences?
Teachers: John Patitucci, Lee Rucker(Oklahoma), Johannes Weidenmuller,

James Genus

bass
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">James Genus,

Fred Hersch

piano
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Fred Hersch,

Edward Simon

piano
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Edward Simon.

Influences:

Ron Carter

bass
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Carter,

Ray Brown

bass, acoustic
1926 - 2002

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Brown,

Oscar Pettiford

bass
1922 - 1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Pettiford,

Jimmy Garrison

bass, acoustic
1934 - 1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Garrison,

Charlie Haden

bass, acoustic
1937 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Haden,

Ben Street

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Street, John Patitucci,

Stanley Clarke

bass
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Stanley Clarke,

Jaco Pastorius

bass, electric
1951 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Jaco Pastorius,

James Jamerson

bass, electric
1938 - 1983

" data-original-title="" title="">James Jamerson, Willie Weeks, Verdine White,

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock,

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans,

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter,

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson and

Elvin Jones

drums
1927 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Elvin Jones,

Tony Williams

drums
1945 - 1997

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Williams, among many others.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...
I had a very vivid revelation as a young boy in which I knew I would be playing music for the rest of my life. It wasn't so much that it was a choice but more of a vision of what was to come.

Your sound and approach to music:
My approach to music comes from simply the deep love and joy of playing. I am a bassist, who used to be a drummer, but who loves to play piano, so when I play music I tend to incorporate those elements. When composing I try to extract all the melodies and harmony I hear from within and onto the page as purely as possible.

Your teaching approach:
My teaching approach is based on my passion for music, and the understanding of the potential it carries to deepen and improve people's lives. I also teach to not only carry on the legacy of the great music mentors I've been fortunate to have in life, but as well to attempt to correct all the bad teaching we encounter as music students. My teaching incorporates a basis of technique, theory, tradition, along with learning various levels of integrated improvisation and spontaneous grooves depending on the student's musical direction.

Your dream band:
I already have my dream band(s): Logan Richardson,

Sullivan Fortner

piano
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Sullivan Fortner and

Jochen Rueckert

drums
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Jochen Rueckert /

John Ellis

saxophone, tenor
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">John Ellis,

David Bryant

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">David Bryant,

Justin Brown

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Justin Brown.

Artists I'd like to work with:

Jack DeJohnette

drums
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock,

Joe Lovano

drums
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Lovano,

Lionel Loueke

guitar
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Lionel Loueke,

John Scofield

guitar
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">John Scofield.

The first Jazz album I bought was:
Return to Forever, Romantic Warrior.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?
I think the most important thing I have to contribute musically is "diversity with foundation." I come from many backgrounds musically, but the essential element of my sound is: groove meets melodic improvisation. This is the basis of all my music and the way I play, and I think that's what makes it accessible for anyone who might listen.

Did you know...
I used to be a ballet dancer. I performed several years in the Nutcracker as a young boy but eventually dropped out of dance, seeing as it just wasn't the cool thing to do... and went into music all the way.

CDs you are listening to now:
Meshell Ndegeocello, Weather (Maverick); John Scofield, A Moment's Peace (EmArcy); Georgia Anne Muldrow, Owed to Mama Rickie (Animated Cartunes); Miles Davis, Live in Salle Pleyel, Paris 1969; The Roots, Undun (Def Jam).

How would you describe the state of jazz today?
I honestly believe jazz is growing and changing in the most positive of ways. I see my peers and older generations constantly pushing boundaries yet completely capable of making timeless musical statements. Proud.

What is in the near future?
Within this year I plan to record my debut album as a leader. This will incorporate my compositions and my band that I've been playing with in New York over the past few years. I hope to eventually tour with this band and record subsequent albums. Other projects include: Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds which is a modern soul band comprised of New York musicians—we are currently on tour and will continue to be on tour this year playing such festivals as the New Orleans Jazz Fest, Mountain Jam, Telluride Jazz Fest, and much more.

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:
An actor or dancer.

Photo Credit

Courtesy of

Aidan Carroll

bass
b.1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Aidan Carroll

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