"[Arau] does it as well as anyone I have ever heard. Extremely gifted composer. Very bright future."

— Bob Brookmeyer, composer/bandleader

"A complete musician. The total package."

— Jerry Bergonzi, saxophonist/educator

"Remarkable and obvious talent."

— Ken Burns, film-maker

"Special. Very special."

— George Russell, theorist/composer

"Perhaps the most complex piece of the night for both the orchestra and the audience was Arau's 'Fantasy Episodes.' The music had identifiable motifs with an underlying urban grit. [Arau is] someone to watch. He knew what he was doing."

— The Oakland Tribune

"Beautiful music! Amazing!"

— Benny Golson, saxophonist/composer

"[Arau's] 'Paper Train' is a marvelous bit of modern composition. Arau's 'Missouri Blues' toys with the edges of funk and fusion, and he puts grit into his tone to match. ...Good music based on strong roots."

— All About Jazz