Solo
w/ Conrad Frieburg
"Before the band took the stage, the show was opened by Jason Ajemian, one of Helado Negro's touring musicians. With only a double bass and no amplification to speak of, Jason coaxed the audience to the floor below the stage, politely asked for their attention, and then received it in full. While his request was polite, his music demanded it. For an instrument that is normally relegated to providing accompaniment for a melody, he made the beast sing, eliciting sounds far outside its usual range. The result was something between beat poetry and the Velvet Underground's 'The Black Angel's Death Song' had it been composed with bass instead of violin. In other words, intoxicating, impressive and innovative. The highlight for me was his cover of Lee Hazelwood's 'No Train to Stockholm,' a hauntingly beautiful rendition to be sure." - Jack Diablo
Press Quotes
"The diagrams, with individual songs contained in sharp-cornered, kite-shaped rooms, should probably never be translated to actual buildings, but in practice, their sounds are perfect shelters from convention."
Peter Marcia, Fader 70
Hush Arbors / JA: 2 of us riding nowhere preview
"Champagne for real friends, real pain for sham friends — in the end, it behooves us to know the difference. And for these two musicians at least, that distinction probably couldn’t be any more defined."
Free Times, Columbia S.C. feature: Logan K. Young
SILBER RECORD: QRD:: Interview with 40 Bassist
QRD – Do you see your bass as your ally or adversary in making music?
Jason – I don’t mean to get Jarreau on you, but “We’re in this love together."
QRD – What do you do to practice other than simply playing?
Jason – Getting down with the bonus, stretching, mind power, avoiding nerds.
RVA Jazz News: Ten Questions with Jason Ajemian
"I saw an interview with Thomas Kincade that made me want to put an M-80 in the urinal at TGI Fridays but I opted to bust a move on the waitress. Love is the answer."
Before the band took the stage, the show was opened by Jason Ajemian, one of Helado Negro's touring musicians. With only a double bass and no amplification to speak of, Jason coaxed the audience to the floor below the stage, politely asked for their attention, and then received it in full. While his request was polite, his music demanded it. For an instrument that is normally relegated to providing accompaniment for a melody, he made the beast sing, eliciting sounds far outside its usual range. The result was something between beat poetry and the Velvet Underground's 'The Black Angel's Death Song' had it been composed with bass instead of violin. In other words, intoxicating, impressive and innovative. The highlight for me was his cover of Lee Hazelwood's 'No Train to Stockholm,' a hauntingly beautiful rendition to be sure.
Jack Diablo - EU Jacksonville