Roland Barber Quartet/Quintet
This small group is Roland’s most personal and primary avenue of jazz expression. Roland has led/co-led his own small groups from his late teenage years, beginning in Nashville’s coffee houses and local restaurants (for those who remember the Owl’s Nest, Cafe 123 and F. Scott’s.) Upon moving to New York City, Roland continued leading small groups at the city’s premier venues – from Cleopatra’s Needle to Dizzy’s club at Lincoln Center. After returning to Nashville, TN in 2010, Roland now presents his small ensembles throughout the region and country, and performs at Nashville’s jazz hotspots including Rudy’s Jazz Room, the Nashville Jazz Workshop, and at many clubs, festivals and venues for public and private events. This ensemble often features Nashville titans of the jazz scene including drummer Christian Burgs, pianist Bruce Dudley and bassist Todd Parks.
Souvenir
Finding great joy in Carribean, Afro-Cuban, and Salsa Dura styles – Roland has formed an ensemble merging Latin Jazz, contemporary Salsa and accessible English lyrics! Souvenir is a seven piece ensemble dedicated to danceable Salsa grooves, fiery horns, and a performance energy that will keep a party going with diverse rhythms of Salsa, Cha-Cha and Bachata!
Righteous Few Brass Band
This ensemble is Roland’s answer to the presence of an authentic, powerhouse NOLA-inspired Brass Band residing in Nashville! Hear the big bass of the sousaphone, the audacious beat of the bass drum and snare, and the soulful mix of horns that will have you saying an “Ain’t no party like an RF party!” Get your NOLA Fix here!
Recording/Studio
Since returning to Nashville, TN in 2010, Roland has become a fixture on Nashville’s recording scene, routinely providing not just excellent trombone work, but broadening his skill set to include many other instruments as well. 2020, despite it’s challenges to Nashville’s hard-hit music scene, saw Roland record on every brass instrument – trumpet, cornet, French horn, trombone, bass trombone, tuba and sousaphone. Roland has recorded and/or written horn charts for many leading producers and artists from coast to coast – and producers, artists and fellow colleagues alike find Roland when looking to achieve their sound when personality, artistic vision and style are of utmost importance. Whether it’s contributing his work as a soloist, writing/arranging parts, or assembling the right horn section for any style engagement – if you have a need for horns, reach out and let’s make it happen!