Ropeadope

It started in 2001 with a simple premise: take acclaimed musicians from a shared hometown but very different musical backgrounds, put them in a funky recording studio and have them create spontaneous art. From that humble thought came the Mighty Oak known around the world as the Philadelphia Experiment and hot on its heels the underground classic Detroit Experiment. The musicians tapped for the Harlem Experiment band had to be versed in the many styles that defined the historic neighborhood...


Guitarist Carlos Alomar, while best known for his work with David Bowie, was performing in Harlem's live music Mecca, The Apollo Thearer, by the time he was 16.  He later toured with James Brown among others.  As a producer and musician, keyboardist Eddy Martinez has worked alongside some of the Latin music's most legendary players ranging from Tito Puente to Ray Barretto.  Growing up in East Harlem, bassist Ruben Rodriguez has been noted for revolutionizing the sound of contemporary popular salsa.  As an in demand session player for over two decades, he's equally adept at electic, acoustic and Ampeg baby bass.  Drummer Steve Berrios was a founding member of the highly influential Latin jazz group, The Fort Apache Band.  In the Harlem Experiment house band's horn section, none other than clarinetist Don Byron holds court.  Highly regarded as a jazz player and music historian, it's his mastery of klezmer and salsa music that made him the perfect choice for the project.  Steve Bernstein rounds the group.  Bernstein is one of the most called upon trumpets in the business.  In addition to his standout performance on trumpet, he takes on all of the arranging responsibilities.