Arthur O’Hara is a Bristol-based bassist, improviser and performing musician whose playing moves fluidly between contemporary jazz, improvisation, soul, hip-hop, funk and progressive music. With a strong grounding in jazz and a deep interest in the possibilities of the electric bass, Arthur brings a highly individual, expressive approach to both live performance and collaborative music-making.
Arthur works regularly across Bristol and London, performing with a diverse range of artists and ensembles. He has shared stages and worked alongside artists including Sly5thAve, Sheila Maurice-Grey, Ayanna Whitter-Johnson, Ego Ella May, Chelsea Carmichael, Zola Marcelle, Renato Paris and DOOM Cannon, as well as performing with Green Lung and WorldService Project. His work across these contrasting musical environments has developed a versatile approach that combines technical fluency with an instinctive sense of groove, harmony and interaction.
Alongside his work in contemporary and improvised music, Arthur regularly performs with professional events and function bands, playing at weddings, corporate events, private functions and large-scale live events. This side of his work has seen him perform a wide range of repertoire and adapt quickly to different musical settings, audiences and line-ups. His experience in both highly spontaneous musical environments and polished commercial performances allows him to bring the same combination of preparation, musicality and adaptability to every performance.
Arthur’s playing is rooted in the language of jazz, but he is equally at home exploring heavier and more experimental territory. He is particularly interested in the role of the bass as both a rhythmic and melodic voice, drawing on extended techniques, chordal playing, improvisation and contemporary approaches to harmony. Whether supporting a vocalist, locking into a rhythm section, navigating complex compositions or taking centre stage as an improviser, his playing aims to be responsive, musical and distinctive.
A committed collaborator, Arthur enjoys working with musicians from different backgrounds and disciplines, particularly where there is space for experimentation and spontaneous musical dialogue. His experience spans intimate jazz settings, large ensembles, touring, events and live productions, as well as projects that sit outside conventional genre boundaries.
Alongside his performing work, Arthur is passionate about developing his own voice as an artist and composer. His musical interests encompass contemporary jazz, fusion, improvisation, groove-based music and the more adventurous edges of modern bass playing. He is particularly drawn to musicians who treat the bass as an instrument capable of carrying melody, harmony and texture as much as rhythm.
Based in Bristol and regularly working in London, Arthur continues to perform, collaborate and develop new projects across the UK. Whether playing a tightly arranged composition, performing for a packed event or creating music in the moment, his approach is grounded in curiosity, communication and a desire to push the possibilities of the electric bass.
