Jazz Musician. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was already playing professionally in the Catskills at age 12; worked in Los Angeles for two years in the early 1960s; and played on Chico Hamilton's album, "The Dealer." Then returned to New York, where he worked with Clark Terry before joining Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" band as lead alto player in 1967 staying for 10 years. Later was with Dizzy Gillespie, Liza Minnelli, and Blood, Sweat and Tears, and led two groups, Treasure Island and Children of All Ages. Then became an educator in the mid-1970's taking artist-in-residence jobs in Kentucky and Kansas. In 1986, co-founded the jazz and contemporary music program at the New School in Manhattan where he became a full-time faculty member. In 1997 he emigrated to Israel and founded the International Center for Creative Music in Jerusalem to bridge the gap between the Jewish and Arab worlds through jazz. Also ran a club in Jerusalem called Arnie's Jazz Underground and he also played with Jewish and Palestinian musicians at the Flamingo club in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Cause of death: lung and liver cancer, in Jeruselam, Israel.
Jazz Musician. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was already playing professionally in the Catskills at age 12; worked in Los Angeles for two years in the early 1960s; and played on Chico Hamilton's album, "The Dealer." Then returned to New York, where he worked with Clark Terry before joining Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" band as lead alto player in 1967 staying for 10 years. Later was with Dizzy Gillespie, Liza Minnelli, and Blood, Sweat and Tears, and led two groups, Treasure Island and Children of All Ages. Then became an educator in the mid-1970's taking artist-in-residence jobs in Kentucky and Kansas. In 1986, co-founded the jazz and contemporary music program at the New School in Manhattan where he became a full-time faculty member. In 1997 he emigrated to Israel and founded the International Center for Creative Music in Jerusalem to bridge the gap between the Jewish and Arab worlds through jazz. Also ran a club in Jerusalem called Arnie's Jazz Underground and he also played with Jewish and Palestinian musicians at the Flamingo club in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Cause of death: lung and liver cancer, in Jeruselam, Israel.
Bio by: Fred Beisser
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